Networking and The Sixth Sense

 I've always had a strong sixth sense and a sense of who to talk to about certain subjects.  This has been really honed over the years with infertility and now with adoption. Something in me seems to know when it's right to share my story and almost always it will transpire that the person I'm speaking to has either experienced infertility or is an adopter.  This has happened twice in the past 24 hours.  

I am careful regarding who I tell that Katie is adopted. I am cautious mostly because it is HER story as well as mine. I don't want the fact that she is adopted to be the thing that people remember most about her or use to describe her or for her to feel that that is what people know about her. 

Last night, I went out with a group of mums and teachers from Katie's pre-school and found myself deep in conversation with one of the mums. I suddenly decided to tell her that Katie was adopted and found that her best friend is also going through the adoption process so I passed on my contact details for her, in case she wanted a fellow adopter to chat to. 

Today I was in my local Boots to pick up my favourite body lotion "Soap and Glory Body Butter" when I noticed a mum and her young daughter discussing hair colours.  The little girl reminded me of Katie because she was "helping" mum by recognising and picking up her normal hair colour.  Mum was saying to her that she wanted to try something different this time.  I chuckled and said to the lady "my daughter is very helpful like that as well".  The next thing I know I'm deep in conversation with her about hair colours and recommending my sister (who is a hairdresser) to colour her hair.  Whilst we were chatting the little girl was getting lipsticks and nail polish for her mum from the make-up stands and we were laughing about that.  I asked the little girl what her name was but was unable to understand because she was very quietly spoken.  Her mum said that she had given me her full name but that she was adopted and they had just become a legal family the day before.  I smiled and said "That's why we're having this conversation. I am also an adopter and my daughter is about the same age as yours".  The familiar tingle went down my spine and we then swapped numbers and had a lovely chat with a view to meeting up for a playdate.

Funny old world isn't it?