tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.comments2023-10-25T04:40:45.027-07:00CD 1 again.....Aprilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08019827440946283439noreply@blogger.comBlogger737125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-50494942263935395382022-12-07T09:31:26.469-08:002022-12-07T09:31:26.469-08:00Great rread thankyouGreat rread thankyouWater Filtration Santa Monicahttps://www.purify-water.com/us/california-water-softeners/water-filtration-santa-monica.shtmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-49295587564719193432022-03-24T08:46:18.044-07:002022-03-24T08:46:18.044-07:00Great readiing your blogGreat readiing your blogKenneth Bhttps://www.kennethburton.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-38625457453912304142019-05-17T07:19:38.372-07:002019-05-17T07:19:38.372-07:00I'm glad you came back to close things up. Lik...I'm glad you came back to close things up. Like Lollipop, I will also miss your voice here since you were part of the ALI-OG. Best wishes to you, April. Lori Lavender Luzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394441222262940632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-12700034470771094002019-05-15T14:58:56.214-07:002019-05-15T14:58:56.214-07:00A huge sigh. I know blogs sometimes come to an end...A huge sigh. I know blogs sometimes come to an end, but I'll miss this space and hearing your voice. I hope you stick around the blogosphere, even if you're not writing.Lollipop Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020874415819057995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-7262591188935856402016-04-30T20:39:13.158-07:002016-04-30T20:39:13.158-07:00I would also read that story. There's a real f...I would also read that story. There's a real freedom in acceptance, a lifting of the burdens of hope, and I can see you're on your way there. Looking forward to reading you.Malihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03928262526502319303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-29486845152560789692016-04-27T11:41:10.604-07:002016-04-27T11:41:10.604-07:00I agree with Mel. Maybe it wasn't what you env...I agree with Mel. Maybe it wasn't what you envisioned for the blog when you first started it or even three years ago when you stepped away, but your story has value.Non Sequitur Chicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07268138421234170972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-54041384507219237142016-04-27T06:53:48.880-07:002016-04-27T06:53:48.880-07:00I would want to read that story, too. Even if it ...I would want to read that story, too. Even if it wasn't the one you thought you would tell. There are a lot of adventures we all could learn from in those words.Lollipop Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020874415819057995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-60175007940520484932013-06-16T13:55:10.572-07:002013-06-16T13:55:10.572-07:00It's so hard to know when you love someone whe...It's so hard to know when you love someone when you're overstepping a line and when you're trying to help but your help falls flat. Because I do think there is a difference. My cousin is getting married soon, and -- to me -- overstepping a line would be making her dozens of button bouquets and then telling her that I made them for all the bridesmaids to carry down the aisle. I don't get to plan her wedding for her (as much as I really want to!). BUT I also think there have been times when I've offered to do something, not knowing where she has stood on an issue, and that is help that falls flat. <br /><br />I probably would have been help-shy by the end and would have never tried the move of matching Lisbeth with her mother.Lollipop Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020874415819057995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-32186259920527636252013-06-14T08:25:40.651-07:002013-06-14T08:25:40.651-07:00I have to agree with the others. Some of Rachel...I have to agree with the others. Some of Rachel's meddling bothered me, but this was probably the least of her sins. ;) Maybe telling the NY Times reporter to talk to Lisbeth was a bit over the line -- but I think bringing Lisbeth & Anita together on the wedding planning front was a nice thing to do (and also got Anita out of her hair, lol) -- she knew what both of them wanted, but wouldn't admit to each other, and nudged them together. loribethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272814565916935113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-31576615930027969192013-06-14T02:11:40.628-07:002013-06-14T02:11:40.628-07:00Yes, in this particular case I think she did the r...Yes, in this particular case I think she did the right thing by mention it. While the mother and daughter misunderstood each other and didn't think the other one wanted to help, cared enough etc Rachel made that clear for them. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-63814806233079211822013-06-13T22:53:32.246-07:002013-06-13T22:53:32.246-07:00I'm going to have to revisit this question whe...I'm going to have to revisit this question when I have a bit more of the book under my belt! I'll be back! :)Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032718306225742021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-57619728510059010052013-06-13T18:12:00.578-07:002013-06-13T18:12:00.578-07:00I think, in this case of Rachel's meddling, sh...I think, in this case of Rachel's meddling, she did the right thing. Lisbeth didn't think her mom wanted anything to do with her wedding because she was ashamed of her & Anita didn't think Lisbeth would want her involved so stayed out of it. Without Rachel's meddling, neither would have learned the true feelings of the other...Tiarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17511522028218347560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-46904448328488713052013-06-13T12:11:15.438-07:002013-06-13T12:11:15.438-07:00I think intentions do matter, and Rachel had no il...I think intentions do matter, and Rachel had no ill-intentions. It's just that in trying to dig into her own psyche and figure out what was her core issue, she didn't approach the others in her life very mindfully. <br /><br />So yes, if she'd been more conscious of her own issues, she'd have had less inclination to meddle in the affairs of her loved ones.<br /><br />But once she did figure out herself, everything else untangled, too.Lori Lavender Luzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394441222262940632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-62839619797305541962013-06-13T12:03:59.060-07:002013-06-13T12:03:59.060-07:00Absolutely, she could have been up front with ever...Absolutely, she could have been up front with everyone and avoided many misunderstandings. But she's not that kind of person - the one who calls people on their behavior. She's the good friend who tries to understand and make things right, but without making it painful for others by discussing it thoroughly. Meddling is what she would do. I guess that's one of the life lessons to be found - your intentions may be good, but if your communications are inadequate, it can all go very wrong.<br /><br />In the end people got what they wanted, so that is good. And Rachel learned some things too.areyoukiddingmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16107214079237461141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-73506921545651746992013-06-13T11:56:34.508-07:002013-06-13T11:56:34.508-07:00I think it is really hard when someone has good in...I think it is really hard when someone has good intentions to be upset with them, but that doesn't mean if they hurt us or meddle in others' business, especially ours, that it isn't frustrating, uncomfortable, painful and/or awkward. <br /><br />Could Rachel have handled this in a different way? Absolutely, but (even though she is fictional character), then she might not be who she is (the woman that Adam loves/wants to remarry and so many others care so much about), wonderful qualities, quirks and weaknesses. Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04175833982955486083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-43567955329183171362013-06-13T11:49:54.230-07:002013-06-13T11:49:54.230-07:00I don't think it makes it right even though sh...I don't think it makes it right even though she did mean well, but I think it makes it easier to understand why she did what she did. Kinda a gray line though sometimes! Janehttp://twobeesinlove.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-84250127682894826372013-05-10T13:45:01.429-07:002013-05-10T13:45:01.429-07:00Like others here, (you too, Lori?) I hadn't pi...Like others here, (you too, Lori?) I hadn't pictured step families and those constellations when thinking about openness, but gosh, it's right there, isn't it? I love making room for all mothers, widening the circle as Lori would say. Thank you for turning that light bulb on for me!<br /><br />Anne, my childhood was filled with that question too. I like how you handled it better.<br /><br />And you know, I have had very few conversations with my mom about my birth family. She's knows I've been in touch with my birth father, but that's about it. Am I afraid to hurt her feelings? Is she afraid to ask for more info? Clearly, there are some areas in my own life where I could encourage the openness that Lori's book promotes. mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07830332489753742950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-12663373336432961912013-05-10T08:37:03.193-07:002013-05-10T08:37:03.193-07:00Hi, April. Thanks so much for being part of this t...Hi, April. Thanks so much for being part of this tour!<br /><br />I hadn't realized at the time I was writing that so much about healing the split in adoption can also be applied to the split in step-families. Good observation.<br /><br />I would love it if you could put a brief review on Amazon.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your thoughts -- it's very affirming for me to know that my messages were received the way I intended :-).<br /><br />Lori Lavender Luzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394441222262940632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-83305215928621299552013-05-09T21:23:26.141-07:002013-05-09T21:23:26.141-07:00Hi from the book tour!
Growing up, I was a member...Hi from the book tour!<br /><br />Growing up, I was a member of a family with a stepmother, stepfather, stepbrother, stepsister, two half sisters and one full sister. I think having this experience really has helped me in shaping how my own open adoption will look like for myself, my daughter and my daughter's first mother.<br /><br />You're totally right - there is a place for all the mothers, isn't there? As a child, I was never confused about who was who and what role they played in my life. And having various players in my life didn't take away from the others - as long as I was allowed to openly love, there was room in my heart for everyone. Anytime that this was challenged, I could feel my heart close b/c I felt like by loving everyone, I was doing something "bad."<br /><br />I found it interesting that Lori let her children choose the titles for their birth mother - this is something I've been wondering about how to approach with my own daughter, and reading how Lori handled this (allowing her children to choose the titles) made me realize that I don't need to make this decision for my daughter. <br /><br />:)Aliciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032718306225742021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-71411873311278359462013-05-09T19:05:47.052-07:002013-05-09T19:05:47.052-07:00I hadn't thought about how much that step-pare...I hadn't thought about how much that step-parent relationship can mirror open adoption, especially in balancing relationships. I like that there is room for more than one kind of mother.Lollipop Goldsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01020874415819057995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-80261034412558757522013-05-09T17:33:15.957-07:002013-05-09T17:33:15.957-07:00Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I've alw...Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I've always wondered how a step-parent would relate to the adoption terminology, since there are some similarities to the 2 situations.<br /><br />Great post!Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00918826364837237450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-6158749465040818612013-05-09T15:26:28.749-07:002013-05-09T15:26:28.749-07:00I absolutely agree with your statement: "I wo...I absolutely agree with your statement: "I would not feel hurt or betrayed if a child that I adopted referred to their birth mother as their mother because it is true." Yep. Of course, part of my answer is hypothetical. My daughter can't call anyone Mom just yet (although sometimes we pretend that "mamamamamama" is actually a word). The "it's true" part is what resonates with me the most. I feel like we don't yet have the language for the reality of many of our family constellations (single and step-parenting included). I'm glad we wrestle with our limited words and hope we'll keep reaching for new ones that may serve us better.<br /><br />Thanks for these thoughts and reflections! Glad to have "met" you through this book tour. :)Lizhttp://www.poemfish.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-2470370373941613112013-05-09T10:25:33.711-07:002013-05-09T10:25:33.711-07:00Here via the book tour and enjoyed reading your an...Here via the book tour and enjoyed reading your answers! I echo your thoughts and feelings about referring to either the adoptive or birth/first mother as "real." I appreciate the ways Lori explains in her book adoptive parents, children who are adopted and even birth/first parents can handle such terminology and questions they may hear.<br /><br />I also chose to answer the in-law question and found that to be a very helpful analogy to make between the relationship everyone in the adoption constellation can try to have, similar to how in-laws also try to get along and find common ground for the sake of their children/spouse. Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04175833982955486083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-729682557633074122013-05-09T05:44:39.163-07:002013-05-09T05:44:39.163-07:00As an adoptee, I was always taken aback when someo...As an adoptee, I was always taken aback when someone asked me if I was ever going to find my "real" mother someday. Even though the comments were not made in any way to diminish my adoptive mother's importance in my life, (I am sure the term 'real' was used only to refer and distinguish the original mother) it still made me feel bad whenever that term was used when i was a child. Not only did I have no idea about the person who gave birth to me but others also didn't seem to think my Mom now was real. When I got older I would quickly answer this question by saying, "Oh you mean the person who gave birth to me? Yes, someday I may find her." The general public is very ignorant when it comes to correct terminology in adoption and I personally have no objections to any of the terms used except the "real" term. Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829597048518840130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3776718502786513769.post-43907282128258564822013-05-08T17:24:40.908-07:002013-05-08T17:24:40.908-07:00I haven't read the book, but in my personal li...I haven't read the book, but in my personal life, I refer to my (adoptive) mother as just my mother because that is what she is and has always been. I alternately refer to the woman who birthed me as either my "birth mother" or, when talking with other mothers who have chosen adoption and find that term a offensive, "first mother", which is seen as the more PC term. That's just me.Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17681333723382119281noreply@blogger.com