Adoption Conference a HUGE Success

Jump to Comments

I wanted to wait until my thoughts were more cohesive before posting but I realize I am going to have to do this in stages. There is just so much I have to process and so many things I took with me from this conference. I think I will just write a brief overview of some stand out moments for me and then write more in depth posts later. There are poets and professors, authors and papers to discuss. Theories and new ways of looking at the world of adoption that I took with me. SO MUCH!!!

I purchased two books while I was there and miracle of miracles NEITHER of them are about adoption! Well, not directly anyway. The first book I bought was Carol Schaefer’s book Grandmothers Counsel the World.

I actually got to sit and chat with Carol and I have to tell you that is one amazing woman. It felt like I had known her for years. In a sense I have known her for years as we all have. Her name is synonymous with adoption literature. Isn’t it funny how you just expect people who are well known to be somewhat aloof or at the very least too “busy” to have a real conversation with you? Not so with Carol. She was one of the most down to earth people I have ever met. I enjoyed every moment of our conversation. We actually have a great deal in common when it comes to matters of the soul. I hope I get the opportunity to talk with her again some day. She was gracious and touching, one of those rare people who actually looks you in the eye and you can tell they are genuinely pleased to be making your acquaintance. Rare indeed.

The second book was by Faith Adiele entitled Meeting Faith.

I had the pleasure of hearing Faith read some of her work at the open mic. session and I just fell in love with her strong presence and the delivery of her poignant short story in which she spoke about her amazing mother (speaking of strong) and her touching reunion with her father and siblings. It wasn’t until later that evening in the hotel that I realized it was her book that I had purchased so I am really excited to read it.

I braved the overwhelming fear I have about speaking in public and read two of my poems at the open mic. session! I was proud of myself because talking in front of a group is seriously a TOTALLY paralyzing thing for me to even consider. So yes, I am growing.

There was a session on blogging and I wasn’t going to miss that for the world. I had no idea who was going to be speaking as I know many bloggers only by their blog names. To my delight I was familiar with ALL of them and it was like meeting family for the first time face to face. I got to meet Dawn from This Woman’s Work and Shannon from Peters Cross Station, Susan from Crunchy Granola and Jenna Chronicles of Munchkinland. Each presented well and had everyone in the classroom excited about running home and starting their own blogs. Kudos ladies you were superb!

I ALSO got to meet Marley Greiner who has Bastard Hall of Fame standings and is somewhat of a hero in my eyes for her tireless work for open records. That was a pretty huge deal for this slightly less famous bastard.

Among the audience at the blogging session was someone whom I was overjoyed to meet; Abebech from New Flower Blooms. I really can’t say enough about this woman. She has always been such a huge source of support with her comments on this blog and truly understands not only the nuances of communication but never fails to deliver with compassion and love. I feel very blessed to consider her my friend. Meeting her in person was absolutely wonderful.

It’s getting late and this is getting long winded but I have to say a few words to my travel companions.  You are both more dear to me than words can adequately convey. The trip just wouldn’t have been the same without you two. I love you both! Only one thing could have made this weekend better. You were missed K.

More to come!

Nighty Night.

9 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized