Literary Mama Book Tour!
Literary Mama -- Reading for the Maternally Inclined
Edited by Andrea J. Buchanan and Amy Hudock
Seal Press $14.95
Once again, I'm hosting a blogged book tour to promote "Literary Mama," an anthology comprised of essays and poetry from literarymama.com.
First, I should probably explain how I read. I'm an ADD reader; I can't start on page one and read all the way to the conclusion. I jump around to get a feeling for the narrative, flipping forward, doubling back. And I always read the end well before I actually get there. Yeah, I'm that kind of person. I understand if you just lost all respect for me. Drives Adam to distraction when I open a book at the middle and start reading.
And, when I got my hands on Literary Mama, I did just that.
But in a funny twist of fate, the first essay I read was by Deesha Philyaw Thomas. "The Girl Is Mine," and I just about cried. Out of all the essays and poetry to read in the compliation, I picked the one about the heartbreak and joy that comes from building a family through adoption.
Here, read it and then get back to me.
Adam and I are adopting. Did you know that? Not, like, now. The Chinese government won't allow anyone under the age of thirty to adopt, so we have a couple of years at the minimum. Now is for socking a little money away in the "Panda Fund" to cover future fees. Now is for building the strongest marriage possible. Now is for the anticipation the future, anticipating bringing our daughter home, we will be secure in providing the best life for her. And believe me, that life will be filled with love, opportunity and twirl coats.
Our choice to adopt baffles casual aquaintences, neighbors, even our own family from time to time. "You're going to," they start and there's a pause before they manage "...adopt?" In that pause is the assessment of us: we look healthy and happy. What's the deal? We answer: it's just how we want to build our family.
Sometimes, it's not enough explaination and we are counseled to have one of our own before we go the adoption route. We just smile and say we're going to only have one child and that child is coming from China.
And sometimes? We are told that an adopted child won't love us the same as a natural child would; that I won't have the same mother/daughter bond as I would with a daughter of my own. There is nothing you can do there, but pick up a report from the front, like "The Girl Is Mine" and read it for reassurance. The girl will be mine.
Thank you, Deesha.
Edited by Andrea J. Buchanan and Amy Hudock
Seal Press $14.95
Once again, I'm hosting a blogged book tour to promote "Literary Mama," an anthology comprised of essays and poetry from literarymama.com.
First, I should probably explain how I read. I'm an ADD reader; I can't start on page one and read all the way to the conclusion. I jump around to get a feeling for the narrative, flipping forward, doubling back. And I always read the end well before I actually get there. Yeah, I'm that kind of person. I understand if you just lost all respect for me. Drives Adam to distraction when I open a book at the middle and start reading.
And, when I got my hands on Literary Mama, I did just that.
But in a funny twist of fate, the first essay I read was by Deesha Philyaw Thomas. "The Girl Is Mine," and I just about cried. Out of all the essays and poetry to read in the compliation, I picked the one about the heartbreak and joy that comes from building a family through adoption.
Here, read it and then get back to me.
Adam and I are adopting. Did you know that? Not, like, now. The Chinese government won't allow anyone under the age of thirty to adopt, so we have a couple of years at the minimum. Now is for socking a little money away in the "Panda Fund" to cover future fees. Now is for building the strongest marriage possible. Now is for the anticipation the future, anticipating bringing our daughter home, we will be secure in providing the best life for her. And believe me, that life will be filled with love, opportunity and twirl coats.
Our choice to adopt baffles casual aquaintences, neighbors, even our own family from time to time. "You're going to," they start and there's a pause before they manage "...adopt?" In that pause is the assessment of us: we look healthy and happy. What's the deal? We answer: it's just how we want to build our family.
Sometimes, it's not enough explaination and we are counseled to have one of our own before we go the adoption route. We just smile and say we're going to only have one child and that child is coming from China.
And sometimes? We are told that an adopted child won't love us the same as a natural child would; that I won't have the same mother/daughter bond as I would with a daughter of my own. There is nothing you can do there, but pick up a report from the front, like "The Girl Is Mine" and read it for reassurance. The girl will be mine.
Thank you, Deesha.
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