“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experienceof trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
Helen Keller
This quote does not deal with adoption directly but I believe that in any adoption process suffering is part of the emotions. The biological mom goes through suffering in making this very big decision. The adoptive parents many times have to deal with pregnancy loss, infertility and also the reactions of family and friends when going through this process. Any adoptive child will most likely also go through a time of suffering as he or she needs to come to terms with their history.
“Things put into the furnace properly can be shaped, refined, purified, and even beautified. This is a remarkable view of suffering, that if faced and endured with faith, it can in the end only make us better, stronger, and more filled with greatness and joy.”
Timothy Keller
Across Divides 