adoption
Photography by Laura McBryde
feature
title
Linda Jordan
LINDA
JORDAN
finding family
W
hen I was three months old, my biological mother left my sister and
I’d always be alone until I found someone who loved me just for me. During my struggles,
me. Not even knowing the name of our biological father, the state
a beautiful person came into my life… my social worker. To this day, I adore her so much
placed us into foster care. To this day, I don’t know what happened
because she took the time to care for and talk with me, and she pushed me along the way.
to my biological sister. I wish I knew who she was because the records
She always told me that I deserved much more. She made me feel positive about myself by
were sealed. My life in foster care sent me to over 30 different homes from then until I was
telling me that I was worth so much more than I felt and not to let people run over me…
21. The journey was hard to deal with. Many times I felt so ugly about myself, and I’d always
I was one of God’s children. But, I thought that God wouldn’t let things happen to His
wonder what I did wrong.
children like they happened to me. I felt neglected by Him due to all of the things that
My earliest memory is from when I was four years old. I remember being placed with
my first foster family. Life was great. I was always treated like a baby and had my way at
occurred. Today, my faith is strong, though, because God has kept me here all this time for
a reason. I’m still here by the grace of God.
all times. Unfortunately, my foster father passed away. So, as soon as I graduated from
The greatest lesson I have learned is to trust in God, because He has your back through
kindergarten, the decision was made to send me to another foster home. I was hurt having
thick and thin. Even when you feel like there is no one there for you, He’s always there and
to leave, because they were the only family that I knew and having to start over with a new
He knows your sorrow and pain.
I now have a family of my own, and I am stronger than ever before because of God.
family wasn’t what I wanted.
The second family to take me didn’t seem like a real family. I prayed that my first foster
My life today is so wonderful! I have three beautiful children whom I love and adore.
family would ask me back, but they never did. When I was five years old, a family wanted to
My experiences have shaped me as a mother. I want my children to have all the things that
adopt me, but I was only with them for a couple of days. They had an issue with my kinky
I’ve never had. I want them to enjoy life to its fullest, and I teach them to love each other
hair and were constantly fussing about me. When I was six, I was adopted yet again. Things
because all we have is each other.
were ok in the beginning. But, as time passed, and within the first year of adoption, abuse
I’ve considered adoption. I’d love to give a child all the love that they so justly deserve and
began. One time, some candy was missing from the table in our home and I was blamed for
the opportunity to call out that beautiful name – Mom. There are so many children lacking
taking it. I was asked if I had taken the candy, and I answered truthfully that I hadn’t. After a
and who want a family. Everybody deserves a family. Being alone makes you feel like you
long drilling about it, I was taken into the basement and my hands were held under scalding
aren’t worth anything and as if you’ve done wrong in the sight of God and that no one wants
hot water. I received treatment at the hospital for the burns and therapy, as well, for some
you. No child deserves to feel that way.
My children have taught me about the true meaning of family. I hear my name 100 times
time. I was placed back into the foster care system and continued to bounce from home to
home for many years.
In a way, I became happy not to be adopted, because so many things had gone wrong in
a day from my little ones… “Mom this” and “Mom that.” But, I love my family to death.
Thank God for family!
the other families. I thought I wanted to be alone and didn’t want a family. As I grew older,
these thoughts turned into me feeling that wasn’t good enough to deserve parents and that
Linda Jordan resides with her children in Florence, South Carolina, where she is a cashier and a
home health aide.
114
NOVEMBER 2015
SHEMAGAZINE.COM