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• Nov 16, 2007 7:36 pm US/Eastern
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  Families Brought Together On National Adoption Day

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Families Brought Together On National Adoption Day

BOSTON (WBZ) ― Massachusetts celebrated National Adoption Day Friday with events across the state.

Some 230 children were adopted as juvenile and family courts stopped all other business to finalize the adoptions. That's 230 kids whose fractured lives will now be pieced together.

Many families were formed Friday at the Brockton Courthouse.

"It means someone who loves you enough to teach you values (like) cheating is wrong and being kind to others is right," said Juvenile Court Justice Judge Martha Grace.

In the middle of it all was 12-year-old Jaron with his soon-to-be mom, Ruth Bodian.

"I feel great," Bodian said. "It's wonderful."

It was a day when Judge John Corbett could put aside other cases, smile and rejoice.

"Good things come to those who wait," Corbett said.

Jaron's 14-year-old brother, AJ, was also adopted Friday, but by another family.

"I know just like your brother, AJ, that the road hasn't been that easy," Corbett said.

"I tried not to cry," AJ said.

It was a wonderful and heartwarming day for the children and their new families.

Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray visited a Worcester court for a ceremony. The former Worcester mayor and his wife have adopted two girls in recent years.

In all, eight Massachusetts courthouses dedicated Friday to finalizing adoptions, including Cambridge Juvenile Court.

WBZ's Jack Williams was asked to speak to the adoptive families and friends there. He said he was honored to sit at the bench with presiding Judge Gail Garinger for a day of joy and celebration.

Before the official ceremonies, everyone gathered for lunch and picture taking. Over and over again, Williams said he heard new parents announce it was the happiest day of their lives. In Middlesex County alone, more than 1,000 children are adopted every year.

If you would like to find out more information on adoption, call the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange at 1-800-882-1176 or 617-54-adopt. Also check out the Wednesday's Child page or visit Jack Williams' Web site at jackwilliamswednesdayschild.com.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)