Archive for February, 2008
Complicated relationships create complicated situations I’ve found. You?
Finally had my conversation with the therapist who is planning to adopt that my friend thought I might enjoy speaking to. My friend was right. A very interesting two-hour long conversation actually.
I didn’t realize I had so much to say about my adoption experience to a complete stranger no less, but then again, I’m writing for you too right? HA! When I had been interviewed by the LA Times Journalist a few years back we talked for a long time too.
However, she chose to cover a birthmother who had real issues with her adoption while I am fairly content and not a tragic story. That’s what bugs me about the media, it’s always the poor, down-and-out birthmother who’s highlighted, not those of us who have achieved life goals and lived fairly normal lives after our adoptions. (The journalist is really a nice lady and wrote a beautiful article, but…)
What had prompted my friend to refer me to her friend Maureen is because Maureen has been taking adoption classes in preparation for her own upcoming adoption from O.C. County Social Services.
What Maureen had learned in a class was that it was normal for birthmothers in open adoptions to end contact after a few years rather than keep the relationship ongoing like I have. Maureen said it gave birthmothers closure and allowed them to move on with their lives.
I had never heard it happening as early as she mentioned in all the research and conferences I had attended, but you can always learn something new. I gave her a call and after a few mis-connects we hit it off over the phone.
Being a therapist, she’s extremely intuitive and as I was sharing my experience she would bring out different things she recognized that perhaps I hadn’t acknowledged. Although I’ve never publicly acknowledged this, it is something I’ve always thought secretly.
My middle sister has been estranged from me for over ten years. Every so often she decides to be nice and let me in her life, but immediately after she pulls back leaving me more confused than ever. She also does this with my relationship with my niece, her daughter, as well which is even more hurtful.
I’ve apologized, I’ve given her gifts, I’ve ignored her for a year, I’ve done everything I can to repair and restore this relationship. She’s actually the reason I started going to Al-Anon in the first place because the back-and-forth and push-and-pull was driving me crazy.
There’s only so much you can do and then you have to detach with love I’ve learned.
Now I just let her do her thing and accept the fact that I will never please her or repair this relationship. It’s been one of the more painful relationships in my life. My parents consistently siding with her over me is one of the others, but they’re becoming clearer on the true realities of this dynamic which is encouraging.
When I shared this with Maureen she was surprised at how much I’ve got going on in my life and how much hurt I’ve had over the years.
I’ve never really thought about it before and kind of assumed everyone else had similar life experiences. I guess not, since she’s a therapist and has counseled a lot of people. Interesting, but also comforting to be heard and understood on one of the deepest issues affecting my life.
What we both came to agree upon is that perhaps the reason I’ve clung to my open adoption relationship with my son so long is because it’s one of the few sweet relationships in my life that brings me unconditional love, as only a child can give. Especially one from your womb. I can only hope we’ll have a real relationship when he’s older and can communicate independently. If he wants.
Also, perhaps, as a result of the loss of the relationship with my niece. Although now that my niece is 16 she’s reaching out a little more. I can only hope that in a few years when she’s more independent she and I will actually have a real relationship apart from her mother.
I’ve given up on my sister. Only God can heal that one. And that has more than one meaning. I give up.
So, as you can see, my relationship with my son is complicated. So are my family relationships. What was really sweet is when Maureen said she hoped that 2008 was the year I stopped experiencing hurt and was loved like I deserved. I’ve never even met her and really appreciated her kind words.
She just raved about Orange County’s program for adoption and after hearing her experiences and education from them I can see why. I only wish my adoptive couple had had similar training. Actually all adoptive couples to be honest.
It was very interesting to hear how birthmothers are explained in that training. Nice actually. That’s what is so unfortunate in the entire adoption world. Birthmothers sometimes are the last ones considered or acknowledged even though we’re the ones making such a huge sacrifice. Generally, it’s all about the adoptive couple’s needs.
I’m tired and my movie’s almost over. I’ll just leave you with that. Oh, and I finished Eat, Pray, Love the other night. I feel like I’ve stopped hearing from a good friend. Does make me hope that all the work I’m doing on myself will result in the wonderful love she found after her quest.
Maybe my quest is simply here in Hermosa Beach, CA. Wouldn’t that be ironic if I had to come home to find myself and true love?
Now, I leave you…
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )God is so faithful!
I’m just so happy that things are getting shaken up in my little hometown and the news came to cover the once-a-year review of the bars who are messing up our community! Thank you God for this small victory.
Now on to the next battle because I have a feeling it’s only just beginning. Nothing new to report re: my adoption conversation because my friend’s friend has been too busy, but I plan to chat with her tomorrow.
Then I’ll share on that, but for now! Praise be to God for defending the defenseless!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Ojai – my favorite escape…
Sure helps to get out of town when you need to clear your head. My favorite place to run away to is Ojai. If you’ve never gone, you’re really missing out.
It’s about 2 hours outside of L.A. on the way to Santa Barbara and has some great spas, restaurants, art galleries and festivals. However, generally I skip all that and run away to my favorite secret spot where I can sit, pray and gather my thoughts while sitting on a mountain top with an amazing view that overlooks the valley spread out before me.
I would tell you where, but this time it was so crowded, I’ve decided not to. Sorry. You can find out though if you go to the visitor’s center. Here’s some pix to show you why I’m being so protective. At least I think it’s stunning, but everyone’s taste is different:
Any time I’m feeling down I either run here, or another couple special spots in Malibu when I’m craving an ocean view instead. Nature is so healing. I highly recommend getting away!
What does this have to do with adoption? Well, earlier that day I attended my favorite Al-Anon meeting and finally felt safe enough to let my guard down to share what was really going on with me.
I’ve been fighting a very public battle in my hometown which I won’t bore you with here, but I didn’t feel safe emotionally or physically anywhere after an especially bitter attack by someone I thought was a friend and when I didn’t feel backed up by people I considered friends also.
However, I always feel safe in Al-Anon and was so glad I went to my meeting. It’s like there is something in the air there because I always feel like I can be so soft and vulnerable in the rooms which isn’t like me anywhere else in my life.
I don’t have a lot of places or people I feel that safe with.
I know there were women there who knew me from my public image, but there’s like this unspoken agreement that we will allow you to be who you are even if we don’t like you. Does this make sense? If you’re in program you get it, I know.
I just sat there crying during my share. Afterwards, one of my friends was very sweet to me. She hugged me and let me just sob on her shoulder until I calmed down again. Not even my mom is that understanding to me very often, but she loves me in her own way.
That’s what I mean. I can be my true self there which is very freeing. I thought I was done crying, but when my little nieces called to say thank you for their Valentine gifts and that they loved me, I just lost it again.
After we hung up, I drove sobbing loudly, pouring out all the pain and sorrow over the past couple of days for what seemed to be a long time, but was probably only a few blocks. I haven’t cried like that since I was attacked by a relative over the phone last November. (We’ve since made up if you’re wondering…)
I guess the tears had been building up. I haven’t grieved the end of my fantasy of ever having a true relationship with the adoptive parents and possible loss of a relationship with my son; I felt betrayed by a friend I was depending on for support; I also had been brutally, brutally attacked via email by a man I thought was a friend and had thought I had treated as such;
And I had been single and alone throughout it all.
However, God is good and met me on the mountain top when I was in Ojai. I had brought all my study materials with me to center myself again. Since I joined my church group half way through the Beth Moore‘s study Believing God I wanted to catch up.
I decided to start my Bible Study lesson from the beginning of the study guide that day because the lessons are so empowering and wonderful. I’m so glad I did. It was exactly what I needed to study.
As an aside, I’m watching the Posh & Becks story on E! True Hollywood story and am surprised at how much animosity David Beckham had to deal with over in England. Hate to say it, but nice to know I’m not alone in experiencing public attacks. That couple has really endured a lot of hatred! Who knew? I wish them both much success!
Anyway, back to my Bible Study lesson. It’s all about having faith in God and learning to trust that He is who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do! Amen and amen to that!
I read this in Psalm 35:17-28 and secretly hope it will come true in my home city. Wait, change that. I believe God to take care of me. Read this and see what you think.
Psalm 35:17-28:
17 O Lord, how long will you look on?
Rescue my life from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among throngs of people I will praise you.
19 Let not those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
let not those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
20 They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
21 They gape at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it.”
22 O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent.
Do not be far from me, O Lord.
23 Awake, and rise to my defense!
Contend for me, my God and Lord.
24 Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God;
do not let them gloat over me.
25 Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
or say, “We have swallowed him (her) up.”
26 May all who gloat over my distress
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who exalt themselves over me
be clothed with shame and disgrace.
27 May those who delight in my vindication
shout for joy and gladness;
may they always say, “The LORD be exalted,
who delights in the well-being of his servant.”
28 My tongue will speak of your righteousness
and of your praises all day long.
Isn’t that nice? At least to me! Anyway, it’s been a very healing weekend and I needed to go through this to come out the other side.
Tomorrow, I’m going to call a woman who is a friend of my best friend Kirsten who has some interesting insights on adoption and my experience which I look forward to hearing. I’ll pass them on here too if it will help you.
Have a great evening! Can’t wait for Desperate Housewives to come back on! I’m so desperate I’m watching the The Sentinel!
Okay, that’s all for now.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Reading some great books right now…
I’m reading three really good books. I know, how do I do it and why? Because one I read in the morning when I’m awake early enough, the second at night to relax from the day, and the other I just bought tonight.
The first was suggested reading in a Bible Study I opted not to attend, but got the book anyway. It’s entitled Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver. I’m really glad I’m reading it independently because apparently they’re flying through two chapters a week and I want to savor this one to let it sink in.
It’s all about how Jesus wants us to stop and smell the roses (or at least that’s what I’m getting out of it.) We’re usually so busy we don’t stop and listen to what God wants to reveal in our lives. The book is filled with great anecdotal stories and applications to my life that always fit exactly what I’m going through right when I need to hear them.
My nighttime reading is the infamous book, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. What I love about reading her book is the way she writes. It’s so poetic and descriptive. I can only wish to achieve her writing grace and style.
What I find interesting about this book is her search for God and what lengths she goes to find Him.
I’m currently in India with her and really enjoying her “Texan Guru’s” advice on page 149 of the book which really hit home for me. Here’s the part I just love: “People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that’s holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then they leave. And thank God for it.” Isn’t that just awesome?
I’m really enjoying this book and trying to put into practice some of the disciplines she’s experiencing while living in her Guru’s ashram, like driving without the radio on to hear God and listen to my thoughts that come up.
Today I was viciously attacked in front of my peers via an email by an immature bully. People I expected to stand up for me, didn’t. It was brutal wake-up call to the depth of certain friendships and the lack of others.
As a result, I was extremely upset. I called a good girlfriend and learned she’d had an awful day too. My client I met with had had one too. It must be something in the moon, or we’re all pmsy together!:)
In any case, even though this good friend invited me to join her and her family for dinner I opted to drive up to Malibu instead which turned into something of a meditation because there was so much traffic due to the three-day holiday or something.
As I was inching along five miles an hour, I was behind a big camper truck and then a big semi truck came up next to me. I couldn’t see this, but the road was narrowing and for some reason the big semi had decided he would go ahead of me despite doing so would run me into the mountain beside me.
Now I drive a very small car and thought he just hadn’t seen me so I moved forward to show him my bumper. No such luck, he was going to barrel his way ahead regardless. I began to get worried when he kept barreling forward and I began to honk loudly to say, Hey! I’m here, don’t run me into the mountain!
He kept coming so finally when I saw a chance I decided to speed ahead of the camper and avoid getting crushed. It was a little harrowing, but it made me realize that today I experienced that same thing virtually where the big bully was trying to crush my spirit while the group stood by and watched it happen, not realizing I was about to get crushed.
I ended up ending that association today since it’s not healthy for me to feel attacked and not protected like that. I felt that way driving too. As I pulled ahead of both the camper and the semi truck, I felt freer and like I could really fly. However, there was still a lot of traffic.
We continued to inch forward and then all of a sudden the road opened up and we finally could just travel. That’s what I feel like has been happening with my situation. It’s been slow moving and sometimes I wonder if anything will ever change.
However, every so often I see glimpses of hope and realize that just like the traffic tonight, it takes time to get past certain obstacles before you find your freedom. We’re getting closer and hopefully soon will have a breakthrough. I just won’t be involved which is fine.
I know what part I played and God knows too which is all that matters. What’s so funny is that every time I want recognition for something it never comes. However, when I’m finally fine with everything and don’t need it, that’s when people acknowledge my efforts.
Today a woman posted on my online networking group a request for advice regarding her birth plan to have her child without drugs and our thoughts on a doula. Since I’d had that experience with my son (no pain too – a total miracle!), I wrote her and told her of my experience mentioning my adoption story.
There was a wonderful woman at my first maternity home, Harvest Home, who volunteered her time as a doula and she was there during my entire birth at St. John’s Hospital. I really couldn’t have done it without her. She was so calm and so nurturing.
My mom was too in her own way, but also a little helpless in times of great stress. However, I was glad she was there too. My youngest sister and her kids were there as was my Dad. I have another sister, but it’s as if I don’t so…
In any case, I shared my story with this girl and the group without any thought of the fact I was sharing my adoption/birth experience to over 1000 women via the newsletter. I’ve told them about my adoption before and never really gotten any response. As a result, didn’t expect one today either.
What was so cool is that while I’m being attacked in one email, I switch over to my other account with tears streaming down my face from the pain of it all, and there’s this lovely email from someone I’ve never met telling me that my adoption was a very selfless act and thank you for not aborting my child. She also thanked me for sharing and was just really loving right when I was feeling my worst.
God has such a funny sense of timing. That happened last night too. I had left a surprise Valentine’s Day gift for a good girlfriend which she received when she got home. She called to tell me how thoughtful and loving and wonderful a friend I was.
I was scanning my emails while listening to her and received one from someone I considered a friend telling me how awful I was and how bad I made her feel because she felt she’d never measure up to what she thought I expected from her as a friend.
That was totally out of left field because she’d misinterpreted an email I’d sent her. I had to laugh at the irony of the phone call from one really good friend and the email from this friend on the other hand. I told my phone friend what had happened and she laughed along with me. I guess you have to take the good along with the bad in life.
As long as we know who we are, then it doesn’t matter what other people say about us. However, it doesn’t take away the sting. Also, I have to look at both of these experiences as a way to learn how I can change and grow from the situation too.
There had to be some element of truth in this guy’s tirade if it stung as much as it did. However, I also know he’s a blow hard so whatever… I do have to ask myself what God is trying to teach me through all this though!
Oh, the last book I picked up tonight as a result of today’s experience is called, Seducing the Boys Club by Nina DiSesa since that’s what this little hometown attack experience feels like. A Boy’s Club where strong women who have intelligence and strength threaten the members. Oh well, I’ll learn and then watch out!
Okay, that’s all for now. I’m tired. Have a good one.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 4 so far )My vision board keeps coming to fruition!
This latest vision board I created has the most stuff coming true the fastest ever! I had celebrity stylist pasted on it because a friend who has been a stylist in her previous career had offered to help me as a trade, but then today at my Armstrong Method workshop, in walked a working celebrity stylist!
He dresses all the people on Without A Trace and is named Luke Reichle. He’s a fashion designer, a costume designer, writer and very savvy. His new company/web site is called The Secrets of the Red Carpet. Check him out! Total surprise guest and very welcome!
Finally putting all my presents together for my son and getting them ready to be mailed tomorrow. Very happy about that. Hope he responds (or his parents do…:)
Okay, back to the Grammy’s. Just wanted to share.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )Valentine’s Day and love is in the air
I’ve had a love/hate relationship with this holiday. Oftentimes planning singles events and parties for all my friends to attend. Sometimes heartbroken. Sometimes happy. Sometimes content.
This year I decided to celebrate and send all my family little love gifts. I found the cutest toys for some of my nieces and son at Toy Jungle over on Pier Avenue right down the street from me in Hermosa Beach of all places. Surprise, surprise!
The woman working there was extremely helpful and lead me around the store pulling out a variety of things all the children in my life might like which was very nice. When have you ever had personalized service like that before at any of the larger stores?
The whole experience made me so happy! I’m sure my gifts will make everyone happy too! Tonight I blitzed around visiting a bunch of places to get the rest of my family some fun Valentine’s stuff too. I love giving gifts! It makes me very happy to share my love in that way.
I’m also shipping the soldiers I gave gifts to at Christmas a bunch of Valentine’s treats because they probably will appreciate being remembered too! Who knows if they get presents either?
I just am setting my intention to share love with people I love to build better relationships and communication. Hopefully this will just be the first step to many more loving relationships. Maybe this time even one of the soldiers might respond? Wouldn’t that be lovely?
On another note, yesterday I had the best evening. I experienced a wonderful full body massage from Martha over at Spa Riviera with a little hot stone therapy thrown in as a treat which made me feel so much better! I felt like my old self again after that! Who knew how much I really needed to be loved on that way? She’s so strong and caring it really felt nice to receive the treatment.
I was in such good spirits when I left I had a great time at my friend’s friend’s party later on. I met some really nice, cool, hip people too. What totally cracked me up was filming a slow mo mooning by one of our male buds who impromptu, decided to drop his drawers for whatever reason.
Then that inspired my other friend to create her own “dancin’ bootie” mooning video too! I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. They both totally cracked me up! I’ll admit the rum drink probably loosened me up a bit too. But it was just one people.
I really needed a fun party like that. I met the most interesting producer named Federico who was actually a very accomplished painter before getting into film. His latest film, Song of Songs, was nominated for an Emmy this past year and explores the question of whether or not long-term commitments are possible for our generation.
(At least that’s what I gathered from watching the trailer!) Very interesting, creative guy and very insightful too. I really enjoyed learning more about his process, experience and thoughts on love and creating the film.
What was so weird is that earlier that day I had received an email from Michele Armstrong whose Armstrong Method workshop I’m taking this weekend, asking me to set an intention.
Mine is to have a love relationship in my life. Then I go to the party and meet someone who has just completed a whole movie on love relationships! Go figure.
I explained to Federico a recent situation I had experienced with a girlfriend where I could plainly see she wasn’t responding in explosive anger to me, but to a previous life experience from her childhood which gave me the capacity to not take it personally.
He thought I was very wise in the way I handled it which made me feel good. I haven’t really shared that experience with too many people, but he felt like a safe person to share with. Now you know too!
Maybe all those love/relationship books and seminars and therapy I’ve taken over the years are all starting to pay off? I always did think it would be fun to create a relationship conference with all my favorite love authors and therapists. Maybe one day…
I still think there are certain issues I probably need to look at to help me achieve the love I want to have in my life, but maybe the breakthroughs will happen in tomorrow’s session at the workshop. She’s similar to Chris Howard in certain respects, but very different too. I do find writing about things very therapeutic too. Hence all my blogs.
Back to the party.
The other thing Federico mentioned, is that they found interviewing over 150 people all over the world is that most of our hang-ups with love stem from our childhood years ages 1-7 which I found very interesting. I don’t remember much of my childhood so I have no idea what that means for me, but I’d like to explore it.
I heard that the older we become, the more likelihood childhood issues will come up because we’re in a place where we can actually handle them enough to work through them and heal.
I know I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time because I really think God has been healing parts of my life that I’ve been avoiding for a long time which is freeing. I’ve always felt very comfortable with my adoption experience, but recently just being able to write about my feelings over the way I feel the adoptive parents treat me has also been very freeing.
What else did I want to say? Let’s see. Oh yeah.
Today one of the exercises Michele had us do towards the end of the day was turn to a blank page and write at the top, What obstacles are in my life that are preventing me from having the life I was meant to live (or something like that. I’m too tired to double-check and you should have been there if you really want the full scoop!:)
Then she had us clear our minds. Then we came up and picked an angel card with a saying on it. We then went back to our seat, sat there with our eyes closed until everyone had a card. Then, when she said to, we turned the card over and wrote down what was the first thing that came to mind when we saw the inscription and image.
Mine was Angel Therapy and said something to the effect I was supposed to let the angels carry my cares and burdens to the heavens for me. The first thing that came to mind was I needed to Trust God more. I also realized I have friends in my life who are like angels to me because they really support, encourage and pray for me (in essence, carrying my burdens to the heavens for me.)
Lastly, the card made me realize I could probably use a little more therapy to get some of the last few things I need to work on resolved. Isn’t that funny? One of these days I’ll stop going, but for now, I’m going to pursue more because I find therapy very therapeutic! LOL
I find if I dig it up and it’s revealed, then I can deal with it and move through the hurt and pain or anger to heal. And that’s what it’s all about baby! I’m damned and determined to root out whatever is blocking me from having true love in my life because I really want a wonderful loving male partner to share my life with.
It’s just so much more fun and rewarding to have a love relationship in your life! Plus, I love sex!
I love this weekend too because I’m able to focus on myself rather than everyone else’s needs and it feels great. I feel much lighter and happier as a result. I could have spent time with another friend at her dinner party tonight, but knew I’d be way too tired to enjoy being around a bunch of people I didn’t know. Also, that I’d probably end up helping and I wasn’t in the mood. Too tired!
What’s also fun about the workshop this weekend is that a woman I see at all the various functions in town is also taking this course and she’s a very cool, evolved person. I’m glad I’m finally able to get to know her a little better. I love these types of conferences because of the amazing people you meet along the way. I feel you can never know or grow too much!
Who knows? Maybe one of these days I’ll know so much I’ll actually begin to share it as a speaker? Stranger things have happened!
I’m absolutely exhausted because I stayed out way too late at that party last night and woke up way too early too. However, I must say it was definitely worth it because I really needed the stress relief of just goofing around and being silly with friends – old and new.
Watch out! You just might receive a chocolate moon-o-gram in your phone one of these days! Just kidding!
Happy early Valentine’s Day!
Sending you lots of love and chocolate!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Children are absolutely precious
Every time I need love from a child I go to visit my friend Kirsten because even though I do nothing more than play with her kids and really listen to what they have to tell me, they just love me! I don’t give them gifts that often, but I give them me and that’s what they appreciate.
I appreciate their little stories and their artwork and everything else they feel like sharing with me. Kirsten always makes sure to tell me little cute stories too. Today she made a point of calling to tell me that her youngest made a list of things she loved and I made it on top of Spongebob Square Pants. Now we’re talking!
Isn’t that so adorable? Her children are just the sweetest little kids. Today we did a stuffed animal tea party and dance recital. Try to change your voice for 6 stuffed animals! That’s hard! I admire those who do animation voice-overs. Too fun.
In any case, just wanted to share because life isn’t always about work, politics, and hustling. It’s about love, tenderness, caring, sharing and playing too! Children make me relax and live in the moment. I just love ’em!
I’ve been feeling emotional today (not in a bad way, a happy way) for whatever reason and it was nice to get out of my head to play. Thank you Kirsten and babes. You guys are the best! Lots of love to you!
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Project Touch and the value of a caring family
Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting our local Rotary Club‘s luncheon. Growing up in the South Bay, I never was involved in any service organizations because I was very involved with my local church (which probably kept me out of trouble!)
As a result, all these community service organizations are completely new to me and very interesting. The guest speaker was Carol Shakely (sp?) who participates with Project Touch.
Here’s some information on the organization taken from the Manhattan Beach City web site (since I can’t seem to find a website for the organization which may explain why more people don’t know about it!):
“Project Touch
710 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-379-2797
Fax: (310) 379-9267
Non-profit agency providing long term social and educational enrichment, group and individual counseling for high risk teens, preteens and their families. Teenage parent “options” counseling, includes home visits by licensed counselors. Wilderness challenge events and tutoring are add-on services for any client, most of whom are referred by school and peers. A year ’round program, stepteen and stepfamily issues are unique to this program.
Volunteer Opportunities Available:
We have a great need for people, restaurants, organizations, any help we can get to provide food for our weekly meetings (Wed.) at the Hermosa Community Center . We also have opportunities for tutors.”
It was heartbreaking to hear how many of our local youth are affected by drinking, drugs, and now stealing cars and home burglary. Now in major city, the numbers are small, but for our community in my mind at least, the numbers are kind of high and run very young – ages 9-16. Very sad to me.
Many come into this program as court-mandates or police recommendations and Project Touch is one place to find support and love at least once a week. How heartbreaking is that?
At-risk youth, as defined by Carol, are those who spend an exorbitant amount of time unsupervised for whatever reason – their parent’s don’t care or are alcoholics, drug users themselves, single parents working multiple jobs to keep a roof over their heads, or work-a-holics who shouldn’t have kids to begin with. Who knows?
All I know is that I was reminded yet again how happy I am that my son is living in a two-parent family with godparents who really care about his well-being. Whatever goes on between us as adults, I know that my son is loved by his adoptive parents and that’s the bottom line for me.
If you’re at all interested in supporting this worthy charity, I would like to invite you to consider participating in the 56th Annual Hermosa Beach Sand & Strand Run/Walk Fundraiser taking place on Sunday, February 24, 2008. One runner’s registration fee pays for 8 meals. How cool is that?
For more information, call 310 379-5206. Registration is due by 2/15, but on-site registration is also available. It sounds like a lot of fun and is one of the few races that involves the beach/sand! Apparently the course is 55% Sand and %45 Strand.
“Novice to experienced level runners/walkers will enjoy this race with two distances to choose from 2.5 mile (single loop) or 5 mile (double loop.)” according to their brochure.
And for those who are curious why I don’t blog more about my adoption, it’s a part of my life, but not how I choose to define myself. It’s one aspect of my life and will always play a part in who I am as a woman and as a mother, but I feel content with my decision which means I don’t dwell on it as much as you might think.
I do pray for my son on a regular basis and think of him almost every day, but otherwise, he is where he is. I am where I am. And God is good.
Have a great day!
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The Pregnant Pause 