OH GOOD GRIEF

I get so sick and tired of how some of these folks advertised adoption during this month. So many empty promises. So many lies, corruption and deception. Careful now you will be condemned for being a single mother in this country. Especially for living in Colorado, home to the most freakish of right to lifers.

Here is the link and the story:

DENVER - Laura Rael looks at her daughter Maribel in a way that seems to ask: "How did I ever live without that beautiful smile?" Indeed, the two share a lot of smiles and giggles. Some people say they even share the same facial features.

"People say we even look alike, which is nice," Rael said.

It's also remarkable because Laura Rael is not Maribel's biological mother. Maribel is adopted.

"I've never been able to have children myself and I've always wanted to have children," said Rael, who moved to Colorado 11 years ago after getting a divorce and surviving cancer.

Being a single mother wasn't a scary thought to Rael, who decided to adopt five years ago. She was introduced to Maribel in the spring of 2007.

"I was so nervous, thinking she won't like me or something," said Rael, "but I'm glad she liked me."

Maribel remembers giving the "thumbs up" to her social worker when she first met her new mom.

"We had so much in common," said the 9-year-old, who had previously been placed in three different homes. "It was like, 'Oh my gosh, she's a friend!'"

Silvia Talk, the social worker who worked with Maribel, says there are 75 children in Denver and more than 800 in Colorado who are waiting to be adopted.

"There are not as many families as there are children, sadly enough," she said.

Often, school-aged children like Maribel can be difficult to place into homes. Talk also knows that some families may be apprehensive about adoption.

"It is a difficult decision. I think it's a decision you don't make lightly. I think it's a decision you need to take your time to really consider," she said.

Parents looking to adopt a child in Denver need to meet the set qualifications, including the ability to provide a stable living environment. They also must take parenting classes and courses in CPR and first aid.

Talk says the fees for adopting a child out of Denver's Department of Human Services are very minimal and sometimes waived.

"We'll take the time to provide whatever service is needed to help the parent," she said.

Saturday is National Adoption Day. Denver will mark the occasion early with Denver Adoption Day on Friday.

That morning, judges and magistrates will finalize the adoption of more than 60 local foster children with permanent families.

Maribel will be one of those children.

"We've definitely helped each other," said Rael. "She's filled the hole in my heart and I've filled hers."

For more information on adoption in Denver, call 720-810-5139.