Forever Lily

Forever Lily: An Unexpected Mother’s Journey to Adoption in China ISBN: 0743292979 ISBN-13: 9780743292979

I have to admit, I felt some trepidation to pick up this book. Only cause the story seemed sad. Alex goes to China to adopt a baby (she brings along the author Beth Nonte Russell for moral support) while in China she decided she cant adopt. I mean that sounds cruel and heartless right?

When Alex decides she cant adopt but she also cant leave the baby in China, she asks the author if she would take her. The author agrees but the trouble isn’t over yet. Alex goes back and forth on her decision. One day she decides she can adopt the next she decides she cant. This makes for a tumulus journey for both Russell and Alex. The books explains why Alex acts this way and what happens to the friendship during this time.

My favorite part of the book is where the author weaves her dreams, which is past life Chinese, into the story. The dreams tell of loss of a baby and innocence. While the present story tell of gaining a baby. The two stories are woven beautifully together to make a rich whole telling.

While the premise of the story sounds sad, the book really does have an uplifting tone. It is a story about love and protecting it at all costs.