Hey everyone in the New York City area:
Please join First Mother Forum’s Lorraine Dusky for a reading and signing of her new memoir, Hole in my Heart. The event will take place at Spence-Chapin on Thursday, March 31st from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Here’s the link for further details:
http://www.modernfamilycenter.org/events/2016/3/31/lorraine-dusky-a-reading-from-hole-in-my-heart
“Award-winning journalist, Lorraine Dusky, will read from her recent memoir about her experience as a mother who relinquished a daughter in 1966, and their relationship after reunion, with all of its joys and difficulties. A pioneer in the adoption-reform movement, Dusky places her story in the context of the cultural issues surrounding adoption. She is the author of the first memoir from a relinquishing mother, Birthmark, published in 1979 and a long-time activist working to unseal original birth certificates.”
There will be a limited number of books for sale at the event, so it is recommended that you bring your own copy if you would like to have it signed by the author.
You can order the book through amazon.com using the link on the right-hand side of the blog.
We at AITFOA would appreciate hearing your thoughts and feelings after the event.
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Ack! Spence Chapin? That’s where I came from. I’m terrified to go there!
I can see how that would be triggering!
Marylee,
After I left my initial response to you, I couldn’t stop thinking about what you wrote. Spence-Chapin will be very triggering for you, but it is an important part of your life story. Have you ever heard the expression, “the only way out is through”? Maybe it would be beneficial for you to face this piece of your past by going to the event with supportive family and friends. And I’m sure Lorraine would give you support, too. Of course, only you know what is best for yourself. But this is some food for thought.
Yes, it might be good for me, but thankfully it’s a work night, and I won’t be able to make it.
I think it’s a different location than the one I was left at, but I’m still scared of that place. My parents drove me there together, and left me there. I went home with a foster family, still unknown to me and I guess they brought me back there for the handover to my adoptive parents.
Just creeps me out, the whole thing. Too much horror for me!
Just the name of the place,” Modern family center” What a joke! They are old still old school baby sellers.
Hi Marylee, I can totally understand why you feel weird about Spence-Chapin. Imagine my surprise when–after reading H♥le–which is certainly not a pro-adoption book, quite the opposite–they invited me to read and talk there. I actually write about my first encounter with an attorney they hired when I opposed him as an “expert” witness the first time I testified for an adoptee to get her records, way back in 1974.
I’m sorry we won’t get a chance to meet but I hope you’ll take a look at the book. I am especially proud and pleased that I interviewed my daughter at length for the book, and taped it. Her speaking out about what being adopted meant to her is an important part of the book. Maybe we’ll meet in another setting someday.
We have met, Lorraine. I’m adoptomuss. I was at your reading in Sag Harbor, and i would have gone again, but as I said, I worked until 7, and it was at a very scary place for me!
I’m glad that you went, and got to reach out to some pro adoption people.
Marylee is the name my late mother gave me.
OH! My goodness! I forgot (or did you temporarily chose another name) at First Mother Forum–you even came to my house. I thought a lot about what you said about it being triggering, and I went back and looked at Spence’s Website–they actually now help with search and reunion, though of course by law they cannot give out the names they have on record. But considering the past, they come long way.
I hope you are doing well. After meeting you on the blog, it was nice to meet you and your husband in person!
Thank you, that’s very kind. I use a lot of names on the internet. Some of the things I say are inflammatory, and I’m afraid for me end my family sometimes. You are brave to use your real name!
Would you mind if I sent you the info I got from Spence Chapin when I asked for it? It made me cry harder than I ever have.
I also kept the letter saying they are getting out of the baby business.
Sure, send it to me. However, I am not posting my address here, and we do not use our street address, which you may remember…..