Every time my husband travels and I’m home doing everything myself, I realize two things: First, how much my husband actually does around here. And second, how hard it is be a single parent. To anyone who is rearing a child or children alone, for whatever reason, I say: My hat is off. You have my respect. Single parenting is not easy.
Tim is back now and I can finally take a breath. Yesterday, I took myself to see the new movie about adoption, Mother and Child. Talk about intense. The film showed adoption from multiple points of view: birth mothers, prospective adoptive parents, related family members, and the child who is adopted. The story and performances were so believable that in many parts the film was hard for me to watch. The movie drove home the complexity of adoption—the deeply felt loss and pain, and how that coexists with joy and new life. Many scenes will remain with me for a long time. I recommend Mother and Child to anyone with an interest in adoption. Go prepared to be affected.
Finally, this week I celebrated the final cover design of my book, Mamalita: An Adoption Memoir. The designer at Seal Press did a fabulous job representing the beauty of Guatemala. Mamalita will be in your local independent bookstore on November 1—for me, that’s Book Passage in Corte Madera, California—and is available now for preorder on Amazon. Click on the “Book” tab above for a link.
Hope you enjoy this beautiful weekend!
ShareThisTags: Book Passage, Guatemala, Guatemalan adoption, Mamalita: An Adoption Memoir, memoir, Seal Press
Preordered the book today! Can’t wait to read it and now see the movie Mother and Child.
Thanks, Jini! Hope you like the movie as much as I did. Annette Bening’s facial expressions, especially, are heartbreaking.
What a beautiful cover design for your book! I cannot wait to read it! Will preorder at BP.
Thanks for the film recommendation! You’re compassion for life’s complexity is ever inspirational!
Thanks so much, Gina. The designer at Seal Press did a fabulous job. I think you’ll love “Mother and Child.” Hope so. BTW, am reading your blog. So impressive–your subject and your reflections.
hi jesica,
i love the book cover with the beautiful blue guatemalan material and gorgeous photo of olivia. you must be so very proud to have your hard work bound together in such a cool package. i preordered it on the site and am totally looking forward to reading it.
going to see the movie ‘mother and child” hopefully next week with another adoptive mom friend. had i not read your blog , might not have picked up on the fact it was playing nearby.
thank you for lots of inspiration.
So glad you love the cover, Cynthia! I agree, the fabric is gorgeous. The lovely girl is not Olivia, however, but another girl who lives in Guatemala. Thank you for ordering the book!
I look forward to hearing your impression of the movie. My guess is your reaction will be as strong as mine. Happy to have pointed you in its direction.
Thanks for writing.