(”Waiting for Baby” is a closer look at adoption and my family’s personal experience as we go through the process. It will appear every Wednesday in the aPARENTly Speaking blog.)

Until your life takes an unexpected turn, a lot of things go without notice. Babies and pregnant women never seemed more prevalent than when my husband and I tried unsuccessfully to have a baby of our own. Likewise, I was never more aware of how adoption has touched so many lives than when we finally decided to adopt. For the first time, the word “adoption” caught my eye on the Internet, in the newspaper and magazines, on the television and even in everyday conversation.

And what I’m discovering has surprised me (my husband, too). Case in point: My husband and I hope to soon follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest baseball players to ever step on the field. Giants legend Willie Mays is an adoptive parent. In 1958, he adopted son Michael with his former wife. My husband has written about sports for 30 years, and followed Mays’ career long before that. Even he didn’t realize Mays had adopted a child. That’s basically how this goes. Until you’re in the midst of it, adoption is just sort of there.

Now, I’m paying attention, and learning a lot. Not all of that knowledge is profound, some of it may even seem of little consequence. Except, when you face something that will change your life forever, even the tiniest details have some effect. For me, it was realizing that some people I know — co-workers, friends, family — have been touched by adoption, too. Two old friends of my mom both placed children for adoption. Two co-workers have siblings who were adopted. A friend from college was adopted, something that somehow never came up in the three years we worked together on the student newspaper.

It’s a wide circle in the world of adoption. While hunting around the Internet one night, I came across an interesting Web site, detailing celebrities who were adopted, became adopted parents and even those who placed children for adoption. Among the famous adoptees are comedian Art Linkletter, country singer Faith Hill, baseball pitcher Jim Palmer, figure skater Scott Hamilton, actor Ray Liotta and actress Melissa Gilbert. Miss USA 2000 Lynette Cole was adopted at the age of 2. Jesse Jackson, First Lady Nancy Reagan and President Gerald Ford were all adopted by their stepfathers. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper was adopted by his foster mother.

The list of adopting parents surprised me even more, and really came to the forefront as television’s Barbara Walters has begun publicizes her new autobiography, “Audition: A Memoir.” Joining her and Mays are actress Alfre Woodard (with two adopted children), entertainers Bob and Dolores Hope (four), former quarterback Dan Marino (two), comedian George Burns and Gracie Allen (two), director George Lucas (three) and Walt Disney (one). Celebrities also are among the birthparents who have placed children: comedian Andy Kaufman, actress Kate Mulgrew, singer Joni Mitchell, actress Roseanne Barr and politician Strom Thurmond.

None of this affects my decision to adopt directly. Knowing this information won’t really change anything. Yet, on some level, it is more than just interesting info. By being open about my family’s decision, I have allowed critics into our lives and dealt with awkward reactions from some people I always considered to be friends. But I’ve also discovered that in this very big world, I’m not all that different. So, I pay attention more. I allow myself to be even more open. And I welcome learning about the connections I may have with colleagues, friends, family, and yes, even perfect strangers.