By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
Christmas joy came early to eight families in Judge R. George Economy’s courtroom at Ingham County Probate Court.
It was December 13, the day that each of the families adopted new members and became whole.
Economy began his Christmas adoption tradition 24 years ago, giving adopting families the option of finalizing their adoption close to Christmas thus “giving them the best gift of all.”
Each year, families visit his probate courtroom on the special day, not to argue but to unite children with their permanent family.
This year, 10 children were adopted.
The joy of the adopting families filled the courtroom with laughter and tears of joy.
It was impossible to tell who had the biggest smile — the children acquiring a permanent home, the couple becoming a family, the family members watching the
proceedings, the court staff taking pictures, the social workers who followed the families through the long process of adoption or Economy, who had the biggest smile of all.
Each family had a story to tell.
Carolyn and Jeff Waite adopted Graycin, who was placed in their home immediately after his birth.
Corey Mettler, case worker with Bethany Christian Services, the agency arranging the adoption, noted that the Waites were the first and only choice of the Graycin’s birth mother.
As is his custom, Economy asked the parents to bring Graycin to the bench while he finalized the adoption, signing the documents making the child a permanent part of the Waite family.
Jeff Waite held Graycin while the judge accepted the caseworker’s recommendation and the signing of the documents.
Amberlynne, a 17-year-old high school senior, became a member of the Finet/Sosulski family.
She approached the bench to sign the necessary consent to her own adoption, admitting she was so excited that “I feel like I will jump out of my skin.”
Amberlynne said she had “been through a lot,” having been in foster care most of her life.
Marya Sosulski, Michigan State University professor of social work, and David Finet became Amberlynne’s permanent family.
“She is exactly what we were looking for,” said Sosulski, explaining that Amberlynne had been living with them for six months.
Jennifer Land, caseworker from Spaulding for Children, recommended the adoption.
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