The Story Behind “Handpicked”
When I was adopted at the age of three by my grandparents, I thought I had done something wrong. I thought I had been given away because I wasn’t wanted.
I was bullied by children growing up and called an orphan. I was told my first parents didn’t love me and that my new parents couldn’t be my real parents because they were so much older.
I didn’t have any resources telling me that there was nothing wrong with me. That I was wanted and loved and needed.
My grandparents that adopted me said that I was specially handpicked just for them and that they loved me so much they just had to take me home and take care of me.
That is where the idea for my best selling children’s book “Handpicked” came from.
It is the story of a little girl named Allie Rose that was adopted by her grandparents. It tells the story of their life and love, and how wonderfully beautiful it is to be specially handpicked.
The book addresses adoption in a way children can understand, and is meant to help those who have been adopted, have adopted or just want to learn more about the topic. My hope is it gets in the hands of those who need it the most.
Unfortunately, the grandparents that adopted me, my mama and daddy, have both passed away and didn’t get to see the book come to fruition. But their love is in every word across every page.
Everyone has a story, everyone is loved and no one is alone.
Serina Marshall
Serina Marshall has spilled words across the writing spectrum. From newspapers to magazines, to anthologies, to speeches and blogs; she puts ink to her thoughts. Born and raised in the foothills of East Tennessee, Marshall came back to Tennessee and her roots by way of Orlando, Florida, after working as an entertainment lead and trainer at Universal Studios. Marshall views every day as an adventure and every experience as a story. A published and best selling author, Serina has a children’s book on adoption titled “Handpicked” available for purchase on Amazon, Books a Million, Barnes and Noble, Walmart and Target.