When covering the news, it is usually a steady stream of doom and gloom. But on occasion, there are stories that brighten one’s day, especially in today’s polarized news environment. One such story: ABC World News Tonight’s feature on National Adoption Month.
Tonight’s feature, which closed out the newscast, focused on what is known as Adoption Day- a day in November when many adoptions are finalized and courthouses are packed with elated families. Watch:
DAVID MUIR: Tonight, on this Thanksgiving week, the remarkable gifts. From Denver, to Charleston, to Sarasota: the families, very grateful this year. November is National Adoption Month. And in every corner of America, what they're calling Adoption Days, in courthouses across the country.
The report goes on to track various families throughout the country as they finalize their adoptions. Heartwarming stories throughout, which you don’t often see on network evening news.
There is the teenager that won’t age out of the foster system and into an uncertain future, the 3-year old who went into foster care as an infant and was adopted by her foster parents, and the special needs teen whose adoption was finalized. Behind each of these stories is a great deal of sadness and heartbreak. But today, there is happiness and gratitude.
Adoption Day is the happiest day of the year in the courtrooms where they are held. I know this, from prior professional experience in the court system. These courtrooms are usually where parental rights are revoked due to some horrific circumstance, and are normally depressing places full of pain and trauma. But not today.
And in highlighting Adoption Day, ABC News blesses us with a most pro-life story, for we are reminded of the inherent value and dignity in every human life, each one precious in God’s eyes and created with divine purpose. Good on David Muir for sharing the joy of Adoption Day with all of us.
Click “Expand” to view the full transcript of the aforementioned report as aired on ABC World News Tonight on Tuesday, November 21st, 2023:
DAVID MUIR: Finally tonight, coming home for good. A Thanksgiving to remember.
Tonight, on this Thanksgiving week, the remarkable gifts. From Denver, to Charleston, to Sarasota: the families, very grateful this year. November is National Adoption Month. And in every corner of America, what they're calling Adoption Days, in courthouses across the country.
In Chicago, 13 adoptions in just one day.
I will go ahead and sign the judgment order.
MUIR: Joseph Casteel getting his forever home
JOSEPH CASTEEL: Just to, like, have a permanent home and not have to move around and just have that sense of comfort.
MUIR: In Milwaukee, 24 children adopted. Mom and new daughter Zari.
MANDY MILLER: Is today your adoption day?
Zari: Yeah!
MILLER: Is it so exciting? We're all here for you.
ZARI: Yeah.
MUIR: Mom and Dad, Mandy and Ben Miller, adopting 3-year-old Zari. They've been fostering her since she was just 4 weeks old. Now it's official. And with us tonight --
MILLER: Hi David!
MUIR: Zari, her parents, and now her four siblings.
MILLER: Happy Thanksgiving. This year, we're so thankful for our village of family and friends around us.
MUIR: And in Phoenix, 80 children have been adopted. 9-year-old Michelle, who has special needs, among them.
JUDGE NICOLE HARTLEY: It is my joy to announce that the petitioners and the child should bear to each other the relationship of parent and child.
MUIR: Her mom and dad, Tiffany and Brandon McClure.
HARTLEY: Congratulations!
MUIR: And right here tonight, the Mcclure family.
McCLURE FAMILY: Happy Thanksgiving, David!
MUIR: With what they're thankful for this Thanksgiving.
TIFFANY McCLURE: This year, we're thankful because we finally got to adopt, who boys?
McCLURE BOYS: Our sister!
McCLURE FAMILY: Happy Thanksgiving!
MUIR: The best Thanksgiving gifts ever. And that’s what Thanksgiving is about.
