I woke up screaming at 3:45 a.m.

I dreamt a man in ICE gear was standing over me holding a cage. I was sweating and thrashing until Randy grabbed me and held me. Y'all, if you know me, you know this is not like me. I am not someone who dwells on the evil going on in the world. But I have to say, this week has undone me. I don't care where you are on the political spectrum, you can't be OK with the story of five-year-old Liam in Minneapolis. Please tell me you're not. And speaking of Minneapolis, I have no words to describe the heaviness in my heart for this city and state I love. Marra lived there for eight years; if she lived there now, I would not be sleeping at all.

Here's the thing: International adoptees are scared. There are stories about them being targeted, questioned, and detained by ICE - even when they have all the correct documentation. Some are discovering they don't have the right papers - they should be naturalized citizens. (But there is talk of naturalized citizenship being taken away.) Click here for some great info from TIES about what international adoptees need to know right now.

For once, I am glad my girl is living in England where she feels safe. It pains me to write those words.

I'm gutted, friends. I grew up in an immigrant family with my Papa telling us stories of how he was discriminated against as a young Greek-American man. He was born in Atlanta; my grandparents were born in Greece. I grew up on Coventry Road in Decatur before moving to Tucker in 5th grade. We went to Venetian Community Pool, and every time had to sit through my Dad's story of how they wouldn't let him in when he was young ("no Italians, Greeks, or Jews," he would tell us). He was proud of how far we'd come. Hmmmm.

I always looked different from my friends. I got very dark in the summer, had a unibrow, and hairy legs my mom wouldn't let me shave. I was called the n-word, greasy Greek, gorilla, and more. I learned a lot of empathy from being the odd girl out. And don't misunderstand, I had amazing friends growing up that I still love dearly. And I had a happy, happy childhood. But there were some definite learning experiences.

I still get asked where I'm from (I've been asked every nationality under the sun). I'm thinking I need to start carrying my passport everywhere I go.

I thought we were better than this. I was wrong. My Papa would have been 100 a few days ago. I wish I could tell him about my dream.