I came across this photo recently. My mom 7 years ago, when she could still stand up and strike a pose. When my mother was “on,” she never gave less than 110%. She died 2 years after this photo was taken. How I miss her energy, her spunk, her humor, her joy. xoxo
One of the reasons I love visiting Antigua is that we often run into other adoptive families. Case in point: This week, we bumped into longtime friend Velvet Beard and her daughter at Finca Azotea and hatched a plan to share a meal at one of our favorite restaurants, Quesos y Vino. Velvet asked if she could bring Rebecca Center, who also happened to be in town, and of course I said yes, happily. I’ve “known” Rebecca for years from various listservs but we’d never met in person. Here’s a picture of that fun night.
We’ve also spent wonderful days and evenings with Susan Brady and her twin sons, members of our Bay Area group who moved to Antigua four years ago. And of course Susan Hurst and Marisol, with whom we’re sharing a rental house and other adventures.
Adoption has expanded my life in countless ways, including introducing me to cherished friends I’d never have met otherwise. I’m blessed and grateful. 
My 2 teens and I, our friend Susan and her daughter Marisol are in Antigua Guatemala—a quieter, emptier Antigua with almost everyone wearing masks. This trip is different because for the first time ever we won’t visit birth family or travel around the country. Swaths of Guatemala have been declared Red Zones and, although we’re all vaccinated, we’re essentially self-isolating. Hand-washing, social distancing, mask-wearing. Yes, yes, of course.
We came because my kids wanted to come. Olivia describes our trips to Guatemala as “centering.” We’re in the same house we’ve rented for the past 8 years and it feels like a second home. Here are a few pix.
Guatemala Guatemala Read More »
I’m on the radio! A lovely 23-minute interview with Carly Newfeld, host of “The Last Word” on KFSR in Santa Fe–in which we talk Guatemala, family, identity, writing. You can listen here.
Thank you!
A chat with Carly Newfeld Read More »
