February 2023

The four of us headed to San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre to see the musical SIX, by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss.

The story is told from the point of view of six women–Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr–better known collectively as the “six wives of Henry the Eighth.”

But after watching the show, I no longer think of these women as anonymous members of a collective, but as unique, talented, powerful individuals, each deserving of her own story.

Olivia and Mateo joined us–no photos of them, unfortunately–and loved it as much as Tim and I did. Captivated might be a better word. The show runs 80 minutes without an intermission and almost without taking a breath. The singing and dancing are spectacular, plus we all learned a lot we didn’t know. I call that a tough act to pull off.

SIX plays at the Orpheum through March 19, 2023. See it if you can!

Adoptees with Guatemalan Roots is hosting its 4th annual conference in Washington DC from Friday, May 5 through Sunday, May 7. Open to Guatemalan adoptees 18 years and older, this event is a fantastic way to connect and bond with others who share a similar story.

The conference will be held at the Residence Inn by Marriott Arlington Capital View, which is one mile away from Reagan National Airport. The hotel provides a free shuttle from Reagan.

A conference fee of $50 includes a ticket to attend; conference t-shirt and lanyard; breakfast on Saturday; and snacks and beverages throughout the weekend. Dinner on Friday night and brunch on Sunday will be at a restaurant reserved for the group; those meals are not covered with the conference fee.

The Residence Inn by Marriott Arlington Capital View offers a special discounted room rate of $159 and $179, but you don’t have to stay in the hotel to participate. If interested, book your room here.

This sounds like so much fun! (Just saying!)

Access all the details about schedule and presentations here.

On Saturday, I attended my first-ever meeting with the California Writers’ Club Mt. Diablo branch, to hear guest speaker Kevin Fisher-Paulson. Kevin is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist and author of “How We Keep Spinning” and “A Song for Lost Angels,” two memoirs read and cherished by our adoption book group; as well as father of two and commander of the honor guard for the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department. Fun fact I know from reading Kevin’s work: Kevin’s husband Brian, also in attendance, is a former Broadway dancer and dance teacher. Did I happen to let it slip my mother was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette? Only within the first two minutes of conversation. 😉

The afternoon was a delight, and the CWC a welcoming and supportive group. I asked Kevin to sign his books and he graciously obliged; here I am with Brian and Kevin at the signing table.

#californiawritersclub #kevinfisherpaulson #adoptivefamilies #jessicaodwyer

Laurie Stern is an adoptive mother and reporter who spent 20+ years recording her and her husband’s experience adopting their son, Diego, from Guatemala. Defining Diego is a 10-part podcast that explores the family’s journey against the larger backdrop of having roots in two cultures, reunion with birth family, questions of identity, and the history of international adoption in general and Guatemalan adoption in particular.

Defining Diego is definitely worth a listen for anyone with an interest in intercountry adoption. Listen here.