Tag Archives: Unplanned Life

Christmas Crafts, Part 1
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Posted on December 17, 2011 by

Grandpa Jack collected Popsicle sticks the way most men collect baseball cards. There wasn’t a pipe cleaner or butter tub the man didn’t use. He wove potholders out of cloth loops and covered wire coat hangers with plastic braid. He … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Milestones
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Posted on December 4, 2011 by

The other night, when I was putting my daughter to bed, she asked for the blue dolphin. I had no idea what Katie wanted, but her words were crystal clear, so I praised her as the speech therapists trained me … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Do Not Open Until Christmas
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Posted on November 23, 2011 by

Once again the holidays are upon us. It’s time to plan a trip to see my daughter’s birthparents. Yes, you read that correctly. Her birthparents. My ex-husband and I chose to do what is called an open adoption. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Best of Times … And the Worst
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Posted on November 17, 2011 by

From the outset, my daughter was a gorgeous, easy baby. She gurgled contentedly in her bouncy seat and slept through the night at four weeks. I stared into her blue eyes and she was dazzling as the sun. My husband … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Aiming for the Sky
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Posted on November 10, 2011 by

When my daughter Katie was four and using two-word phrases, someone asked how I handled the shame. I stared at her, confused. I’ve never felt shame over Katie’s autism. Sorrow of course, but never shame. My mother says I’d feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Birth of an Unplanned Life
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Posted on November 2, 2011 by

Back in high school I’d curl up and read John Muir. I wanted to be like him, but with better food and a tent. I wanted to tramp in the wilderness and call it a job. I wanted to speak … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment