Back to school

Our first week of distance learning was a success. I’m proud of my HS sophomore and senior–(sophomore! senior!!! what?!?)–for their good attitudes and adaptability. (Not sure I would do so well, actually.) No first day of school pix this year–they’re 18 and 15, enough said. But I found this gem from 12 years ago. xoxo

New cover

My novel has a new cover! Hugo Ayala‘s beautiful painting, Nahualá , is now fully visible. Thank you to Bryn Kristi of Mindbuck Media for collaborating with Apprentice House to find the perfect design. I’ve got to tell you, having this story out of my brain and onto the page is a huge relief. I won’t say it’s been “haunting” me, but definitely has occupied mind space. Publication date is October 1. Which suddenly feels very soon. ~

July 2019

My phone reminded me where we were last July: in Guatemala, visiting Olivia’s family, traveling to Lake Atitlan, studying Spanish. Remembering those happy days.

My book is becoming real.

This arrived. The Advance Reading Copy of my first novel, Mother Mother. The cover is a detail from Hugo Ayala’s painting “Nahuala,” bought in Antigua, Guatemala and hanging in my living room. I’m grateful to my many mentors, teachers, fellow writers, and beta readers whose insights made the book better. Mother Mother is available now for preorder on Amazon, Indie Bound, and Barnes & Noble. Publication date is October 1. I hope you like it! xoxo

Anthem

When our kids were little, we attended Heritage Camp for Adoptive Families every summer. Heritage Camp is a long weekend of presentations, workshops, and fun in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, specifically geared toward different adoptive family groups–Latin American, Chinese, Russian/Eastern European, Korean, African/Caribbean. And every year on the last morning of camp, as we gathered to say our final goodbyes, somebody sat center stage with a guitar and sang John McCutcheon’s anthem “Happy Adoption Day.” I couldn’t see through my own tears, but I’m guessing there wasn’t a parent in that room who wasn’t crying. Adoption is complicated. No one understands that better than the people involved in it. Adoption begins with loss. But in this song, we celebrate the joys of adoption. The wonder of our beautiful and cherished children, the miracle of our coming together. Heritage Camp for Adoptive Families was cancelled this summer. But thanks to the talented counselors and family of Korean Heritage Camp 2020, we can still hear our anthem and listen to these words: “For out of a world so tattered and torn,You came to our house on that wonderful morn.And all of sudden, this family was born.Oh, Happy Adoption Day.” xoxo Happy Adoption Day by John McCutcheon