The emotional turmoil that stirs in a child’s life as soon as they become an orphan is a gut-wrenching exposition. The timeline stretching from losing parents to finding a new home is marked with countless challenges. In other words, it is a never-ending journey of grief and trauma, which unfolds chronologically as the child grows up.
According to UNICEF, around 153 million children worldwide are registered as orphans, with either undisclosed forebears or deceased parents. In both cases, the eventual destination of such children in orphanages, from where the actual story of their lives begins.
What Orphans Go Through Everyday – In the Light of a Novel
Adoption the Journey, a novel by Chelle Johnson, aims to highlight the sequential and emotional changes occurring in the life of an orphan and weaves together the complexities of tragedy, love, and confrontation. We precisely dissect her work to understand and comprehend the long-term and short-term impacts of orphanhood on emotional well-being.
As soon as a parent makes the harrowing choice of abandoning their child, it puts a huge question mark on the child’s identity that they have to live with forever. The constant anxiety and stress stemming from curiosity always follow them. Every day, searching for unanswered questions feels like beating the air. Oftentimes, the trauma is so severe that it results in short-term physical disabilities. Moreover, orphans hold onto the never-ending hope of finding a home again and starting anew. Little do they know, the fight for affliction, love, and care prevails till the end of time because having to adjust to a new family is quite overwhelming. In addition, continuous subconscious nagging is not only nerve-wracking but also difficult to get rid of, especially when it reminds them that they do not belong there.
Most times, when orphans are brought to orphanages, they are too little to understand any of it. They grow up considering it their only home, having found friends among similar children. However, as they age, the realization of their reality begins to settle in. The curiosity about their biological parents and their origins starts to dominate their thoughts. Questions like “Who were they?”, “Why did they leave me?” or “Do they ever think about me?” often haunts orphans. These questions create an emotional void, leading to a profound sense of loss and confusion that can sometimes manifest as anger, sadness, or even rebellion.
The Emotional Toll of Searching for Lost Parents
The orphans who decide to search for their biological parents find themselves on an emotional rollercoaster. This is because the search itself is fraught with challenges, from tracing incomplete records to navigating legal systems that may restrict access to information. Each step forward can bring a mixture of hope and fear—hope that they might find answers and fear that those answers may not be what they want to hear.
Furthermore, the longing for closure or answers often outweighs the fear of rejection. For many orphans, finding their parents is beyond just reconnecting; it is about understanding their roots. The absence of this knowledge leaves many feeling incomplete, as though a vital part of their identity is missing. As a result, this void often influences their self-esteem, relationships, and overall mental health.
Building Emotional Resilience
Despite the overwhelming challenges, many orphans develop remarkable emotional resilience. This resilience is often born out of necessity: the need to learn to cope with grief, loss, and the uncertainties of life. For some, the relationships they build in orphanages or with adoptive families provide a foundation of support and belonging. Others find strength in their independence and determination to create a better future for themselves.
However, not all orphans find this resilience easily. Many struggle with feelings of abandonment and rejection well into adulthood. Therapy and counseling can play a crucial role in helping them process these emotions and find healthy ways to cope. Chelle Johnson’s novel Adoption the Journey: A Search for the Truth beautifully captures this struggle and showcases how supportive relationships can help orphans navigate their emotional journeys.
The Role of Adoptive Families
Adoptive families play a central role in an orphan’s emotional journey. A loving and supportive adoptive family can provide the stability and care that orphans need to heal and grow around their trauma. However, the transition into an adoptive family is not always smooth. Orphans may struggle with feelings of loyalty to their biological parents, even if they have never met them. They may also find it difficult to trust or bond with their adoptive parents, fearing further rejection or loss.
Nevertheless, with patience, understanding, and transparent communication, adoptive families can build strong relationships with the adopted. For that reason, it is essential for adoptive parents to acknowledge and validate the orphan’s feelings rather than dismissing or minimizing their experiences. Creating a safe space where orphans feel loved and accepted for who they are can make a world of difference in their emotional well-being.
Searching for Closure
Many orphans who search for their biological parents are not finding their existence; they are seeking closure. Closure can mean different things to different people. For some, it is learning about their parents’ lives and the reasons behind their decisions. For others, it is simply knowing that they tried their best to uncover the truth.
The journey to closure is rarely linear. It is full of highs and lows, breakthroughs and setbacks. But for those who embark on this journey, it can also be a profoundly healing experience; it allows them to confront their past, make peace with their circumstances, and move forward with a greater sense of self-awareness and acceptance.
Conclusion
The emotional journey of an orphan is one of the most complex and heart-wrenching experiences a person can endure. From the initial loss of their parents to the lifelong search for identity and belonging, orphans face challenges that many of us can only imagine. Through resilience, therapy, and the support of adoptive families, they can find healing and hope.
Chelle Johnson’s novel Adoption the Journey: A Search for the Truth serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and courage it takes to navigate this journey. It sheds light on the importance of empathy, understanding, and support for orphans as they seek to uncover their past and embrace their future. While the scars of orphanhood may never fully fade, the human spirit’s capacity for love and resilience can help orphans create a life filled with purpose, connection, and joy.Book the book now at Adoption: The Journey – A Search for the Truth.
