Due to the recent and very sudden loss of my family's home of almost 40 years in the Pacific Palisades fire, instead of a confession, I will be reflecting on the memories that made their house a treasured home. If you know others who have been impacted by the fires, feel free to share this episode with them. Their grief and sorrow must be as raw and incomprehensible and my family's.

Feeling helpless and wanting to help victims of fires in Los Angeles? Click here for ideas and resources.

Talk to me! Click here to provide feedback

Thanks for listening, Beloveds. Please take care of yourselves; if you don’t do it, who will? Keep advocating for your child. And, most importantly, stay tenacious!

Resources on suicide prevention:

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Book Recommendation:

Dancing With A Porcupine: Parenting wounded children without losing yourself

This week's confession: I wanted to adopt a child who looked like he or she could have been my biological child. In this episode, I also share my preferences for a child when going through the matching process, my blog from the day I brought him home, our Gotcha Day traditions, and an update on my relationship with his first mom.

My audacious intent for this podcast is to be a beacon of hope for parents and guardians like me, who are raising wounded children and doing their best to stay afloat. I have found my way from surviving to thriving and you can, too!

SHOW NOTES:

Transracial adoption challenges

Off and Running Movie Trailer

Nicole Opper and Avery Klein-Cloud Off and Running

Talk to me! Click here to provide feedback

Thanks for listening, Beloveds. Please take care of yourselves; if you don’t do it, who will? Keep advocating for your child. And, most importantly, stay tenacious!

Resources on suicide prevention:

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Book Recommendation:

Dancing With A Porcupine: Parenting wounded children without losing yourself

This week's confession: Last week I made contact with Lane’s birth mother for the first time. I had no idea what to expect, but after meeting with her, I am cautiously optimistic that when he meets her and builds a relationship with her, it will be helpful for Lane’s healing. I also share why this seemed like the right time to locate her, his nervousness/ambivalence about it, her response when I knocked on her door, how Lane reacted to the news, and my hopes for his future with her.

My audacious intent for this podcast is to be a beacon of hope for parents and guardians like me, who are raising wounded children and doing their best to stay afloat. I have found my way from surviving to thriving and you can, too!

SHOWNOTES:

God Found Us You By Lisa Tawn Bergren

I Wished for You: An Adoption Story By Marianne Richmond

Shazam movie trailer

Song written and performed by my dear friend Jasmijn White

Talk to me! Click here to provide feedback

Thanks for listening, Beloveds. Please take care of yourselves; if you don’t do it, who will? Keep advocating for your child. And, most importantly, stay tenacious!

Resources on suicide prevention:

Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

- Call or text 988
- Chat at 988lifeline.org

Connect with a trained crisis counselor. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.

Visit the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for more information at 988lifeline.org

Book Recommendation:

Dancing With A Porcupine: Parenting wounded children without losing yourself