Finally being with my firstborn after nearly 25 years of separation was surreal. Thoughts of him consumed my every waking moment. I had the photos that we took our first day together and I studied them intently, going over every feature of his face. Just staring at him in amazement. I looked at the faces … Continue reading Sleepovers

Wednesday, February 11, 2015, started out just like any other ordinary day. It ended, however, unlike any other. I had gone home for lunch that day, as I did most work days, and saw a notification from Canada Post stuck to my front door. A registered letter had arrived for me. After eating lunch I … Continue reading The Letter

This post is hard for me to share as I’ve let very few people in on my few days in the hospital with my firstborn. But as Maya Angelou said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” The last image I have in my mind of my baby boy is … Continue reading A Mother Bear

We watched out the window as a maroon Jeep pulled into our driveway. He had arrived right on time. It was such a cold day. The ground was covered with snow that crunched under foot. The sun shone brightly and reflected off the snow, the sky was a perfect clear blue. My husband's sisters had threatened … Continue reading The Day That Changed Everything—Part 2

It was the morning of Friday, February 20, 2015. Our home was buzzing with excitement and energy, barely aware of the freezing cold temperatures outside. So cold the school buses were cancelled and all schools were closed that day. The five of us were bustling around getting ready for a very important visitor. We weren't … Continue reading The Day That Changed Everything

For the past several years I've been encouraged by some family and friends to write my story. So I’ve started. And I’ve stopped. Many times. I'm not sure why I do this. Maybe it’s because writing parts of my story is too painful. Though I'm told writing is therapeutic. Maybe it's because it will require … Continue reading Write Hard and Clear About What Hurts