What follows is the original essay I submitted 2-5-17 to the producers of LTYM-Raleigh/Durham. It was much longer than they could allow in the show and had too many similarities to another candidate's piece, so they asked me to condense and modify it a bit. I did so without hesitation to be part of their amazing program. I'll share the more polished version I read that night, but I wanted to share this one first as I think it offers (what I hope are) teaching moments that are particularly relevant right now. ------------ Nine years ago on a rainy Friday afternoon in early March, I was at work training my replacement in an RTP office when I received a long-awaited surprise—a call from Wake County Human Services containing a life-altering question, which was in essence, “Are you ready for motherhood?” A quick answer was required, so as soon as I hung up, I managed with jittery fingers to dial my husband at work. He’d already been contacted, and we were equally stunn...
This blog was born in 2006 when my husband and I began our journey to adopt. After the program stalled, we decided on a different path to parenthood. In March '08, we began fostering our infant son, and our daughter was conceived shortly thereafter. She was born in Feb '09, 2 weeks before our son turned 1, and we finalized his adoption that Oct. Life was busy with 2 tiny tots, and I stopped writing, but I always thought I'd get back to it. Listen To Your Mother 2017 was that jumping off point.