Adoptee: Lily Morris
Date of adoption: Dec-01
Place of adoption: Guangxi Province: Guilin SWI and foster care
Lily Morris
I was adopted from Guilin, China when I was 11 months old by my mom, who decided she wanted a baby even though she wasn’t married. My aunt, Jean, travelled with my mom to get me.
Although I don’t remember anything from these early days, I have been told the story of my adoption throughout my life. We laugh when we reminisce about our first days together, especially my mom letting me fall off the bed!
Since my adoption, I have gone back to China two additional times. First, was when I was 10. I went on a heritage tour that included meeting other adoptees, seeing many tourist sights, and culminating with a visit to my orphanage and meeting my foster parents. I thoroughly enjoyed my first glimpses of China and reuniting with my foster parents, but at the end of the trip I was certainly ready to return to my home in the United States.
My second trip to China was when I was 11 to bring home my niece. My aunt adopted, Cate, and I was thrilled to accompany her and my family members witnessing the adoption process first hand.
Regularly, I contemplate what my birth family is doing in China. Who are they, what is their life like, do I have any siblings, do they think about me, and will I ever meet them? My mom and I attempted to find my birth family, but were unsuccessful. I continue to hope that one day I will have the opportunity to meet them and share our stories.
Today, my life is busy with sports, piano and schoolwork. I have several friends who were also adopted from China and I think it was good that I got to grow up knowing that I was not alone living this unique life.
I enjoy hanging out with my diverse group of friends. I warn new friends that my mom looks different than me. I often see others glance our direction and think they wonder how we came about. But one thing I know for sure is our family is built on love even though our DNA doesn’t match.
More Stories
Lily's interview
Apr 2, 2019Barb Morris
Adoptive mother
Feb 12, 2019Becoming a mother was the biggest decision I have ever made and one that I have never regretted since the first day I held my beautiful baby girl.
It was an honor to take the child from the arms of her foster mother that rainy day in December 2001. How loved she had been was obvious. She was a happy and healthy baby.
How ironic it is that my joy is at the expense of another mom’s heartache. I hope her birth mom could know how special she is in my heart for the gift she unknowingly gave me. I wish she could also know how her baby has matured into a beautiful, kind, sweet, smart, happy, athletic, musical and hard-working young woman. I know she would be equally as proud as I.
How lucky I am to be Lily’s mom. The journey has been amazing and I look forward to the future.
Barb's interview
Apr 2, 2019Jean Morris
Barb’s sister, Lily’s aunt
Feb 12, 2019“She is such a lucky girl!”
I wish I could count the number of times perfect strangers have made this comment to my family about me niece who was born in China. Actually, the lucky ones are my sister, and our extended family.
I love being an aunt to this fantastic girl! Her roots are Chinese - but her heart and soul are ours. In the nature vs. nurture war - nurture wins!
I love being with Lily through the day-to-day, homework, sports, taxi-service, etc. Watching her blossom into a confident young woman. I love being with Lily through the special times, confirmation, graduation, school dances, etc.
She has grown so much and her future is so bright.
I take my role as an aunt very seriously. I don’t have children of my own, but my nieces and nephews fill my heart with a special pride. I will continue to support and care for each of them for I am the lucky one.