If you are a regular reader then you have probably noticed that I haven’t been writing as much as usual lately. I have been so sick this winter and just can not seem to stay well. I’m left feeling emotionally and physically exhausted which makes it difficult to write at times.

I did manage to get permission from my doctor to go on a retreat from women with my church this past weekend. He thinks that some of the reason why I can’t seem to get well and stay well could be stress so we both thought that maybe a change of scenery in the fresh mountain air of North Carolina could do me some good. I was looking forward to the break and refused to take my laptop so I wouldn’t be tempted to get online. My cell phone didn’t work that high up in the mountains so I was “technology” free.

Although I am passionate about adoption and I love writing about adoption, I was looking forward to having a small break from adoption. But, just as it has happened before, when I think I am getting away from adoption, it sneaks up, taps me on the shoulder, and reminds me that I can’t run away from it!
While at the retreat, another lady thought she recognized me from high school. High school friend asked a mutual friend my name. The mutual friend later relayed all of this to me and also told me that High School Friend has a child with special needs. Later in the weekend, I went over and talked to her and re-connected. We spent a few moments reliving the past and then moved on to discuss our children. At some point in the conversation, High School friend mentions that her son is adopted!

I view church as my one safe place, the one place I don’t have to wear my “birthmother hat” so I don’t really talk about my birthmother status with too many people at church but I decided to go ahead and share. Once I did, High School Friend asked if I had an open adoption. I of course, said yes, and then told her a little bit about Charlie and our open adoption. She then told me that they had a very open adoption with their son’s birthmother and told me some of their adoption story.

Although I wanted to hide from adoption for the weekend, I’m actually glad that I had this little encounter.

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Photo Credit

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