YOU CAN TAKE THE GIRL OUT OF KAOHSIUNG

(written for Cowbird Daily) The process of adopting our daughters, two sisters from Taiwan, went smoothly. Their situation in Taiwan was far from optimal, and they were separated frequently for long periods of time in foster care before we reunited them. Upon meeting our girls, their differences were stark: Socrates was a pocket-sized dynamo of energy, strength and opinions. Ducky was frail, listless and sullen. If displeased, the Socrates would make herself heard, while Ducky would silently tear up. They've been home with us in Los Angeles for 9 months now. And while Socrates, our 9-year-old is eating up her new country with a great appetite; 11-year-old Ducky is less hungry for America. We are a global-minded household without any ‘US vs. Them’ politics, so no “You must love America the best!” messages are being considered, let alone voiced to our daughters. In the wake of her adoption, it is natural that Ducks would feel a lot of complex emotions. And while she voi