Sandra Bullock adopts. What a Blind Side

Back in March, before the whole Jesse James affair circus, Sandra Bullock had this to say upon winning the Oscar for her role in "The Blind Side".

I would like to thank what this film is about for me which are the moms that take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from. Those moms and parents never get thanked. I, in particular, failed to thank one. So… if I can take this moment to thank Helga B. for not letting me ride in cars with boys until I was 18 because she was right. I would’ve done what she said I was gonna do. For making me practice every day when I got home. Piano, ballet, whatever it is I wanted to be. She said to be an artist, you had to practice every day, and for reminding her daughters that there’s no race, no religion, no class system, no color, nothing, no sexual orientation that makes us better than anyone else. We are all deserving of love.

I was really moved by those words. And now they have even more weight in their meaning for her personally. Although the world didn't know it yet, she had become a mother herself. It was announced in a cover story for People magazine that in January, she and her husband had brought home a baby boy from New Orleans after beginning adoption proceedings four years ago.

Really? Four years ago? I haven't seen the full article, but I hope there is some elaboration on that. Most times we see celebrities just turn up with babies. They have the cash to pay a high-powered adoption attorney to match them with the child of their dreams. The rest of us can't afford that kind of adoption. So we wait. And wait...

I would seriously like for someone like Sandra Bullock to share her adoption experience with the rest of the world. Of course, right now she would probably like as much privacy as possible during what I'm sure is a painful time for all involved (including her husband's children). There is going to be an awful lot to sort out there and the well being of all the children should be priority number one.

But maybe, one day she'll sit down and tell the world just what took four years. Those of us who have adopted or are waiting to adopt know just what takes so long. Wouldn't it be great to hear from someone like Sandra what it is like to wait so long to become a parent? Nia Vardalos spoke recently about the difficult maze of domestic adoption she and her husband experienced. What an awesome team she and Sandra would make as advocates for adoption.

The Year of Giving-continued

Does our contribution to the federal government this month count? Just kidding.

No, this month I am contributing to a cause very close to home. This week local PBS stations will debut a documentary called "The Last Boat Out". The production highlights the ongoing struggle of watermen on the Chesapeake Bay. My father was interviewed for this piece and is featured in the opening clip which can be viewed by clicking on the link above. He is the gentleman in red suspenders who says, "Water quality is going to be everybody's job".

There is a review of the film here. If I can boast a little, here is a quote about my Dad - "One of the film’s most colorful characters is Dudley Biddlecomb, an elderly, suspendered former watermen who now spends his days teaching people how to farm oysters. (I personally could have watched an entire film about Dudley.)"

Watermen in this part of the world have been targeted by various groups such as Greenpeace as being the reason the Bay is full of pollution. This documentary sheds light on another possible cause for pollution of the Bay. The over development of waterfront property. The creator of the documentary grew up much like I did. Her family made a living off of fishing, crabbing and oystering on the Bay. I haven't seen the finished product yet as it will air on Maryland Public Television and in Hampton Roads this week. My Dad attended a viewing of the documentary in Yorktown a few weeks ago. And it turns out that actor Sam Waterston of "Law and Order" fame, asked to narrate the documentary after he found out about it. As I said, it airs this week on Maryland Public Television, but may be seen throughout the country later. So check it out if you can. Contributions to the production can be made here.