All dogs go to heaven...

You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Dogs are truly amazing creatures. They love us with complete and reckless abandon. If our days are horrible and depressing, and we’re in the very worst mood possible, the love we receive from our dogs can be the most healing of all soothing balms. Coming home to an empty house from a stressful day is always hard. But, being welcomed with the joy that returning soldiers receive when arriving safely home from battle makes walking through that door worthwhile. And, we haven’t even risked our lives. We’ve just slaved away, listened to other people’s complaints, tried to solve problems and felt little satisfaction. And, yet, we are greeted as liberating heroes ! Their trust in us, their faith in us, and their complete devotion to us make believe in ourselves again. Dogs have the ability to see past our grumpiness, our laziness and our worst faults. They look into our very hearts and see the good that lies within.

Dogs, however, aren’t sedentary creatures. We have to walk them, care for them and engage with them. Study after study has shown that people who own dogs live longer, healthier lives. Why is this ? For those who live alone, dogs provide a reason to get up the morning, to exercise and to look outside ourselves. For others, they provide lessons in love and responsibility. The wonderful programs of visiting pet programs into nursing homes have shown remarkable results in the residents. Even people who can’t have a dog, can feel the joy emanating from their furry visitors. Dogs beg us to interact and to be less selfish…even if it means sharing a bite of bagel in the morning, or a touch of steak at dinner. But, we are happy to share with them, because they make our lives more musical.

Dogs can also be incredibly sensitive. A few years ago, we had a dinner party for my mother, and some of her oldest friends. One friend, Norma, was disabled and in a wheelchair. My oldest dog, Mackenzie, was then a 3 year old, and a very large German Shepherd. Mackenzie sat by Norma’s chair the entire time, occasionally resting her large, gentle head in Norma’s lap. While Norma didn’t own a dog at that time, she had been a Shepherd owner and lover during most of her adult life. I was amazed at the serenity Mackenzie, usually so dramatic and playful, showed while staying very close to our guest. She was attentive, concerned and gentle. When the car arrived to pick up our guests from their evening, Mackenzie followed Norma out the door and looked over the car very carefully. I could almost hear her brain saying “Is this a suitable and safe way for my new friend to leave ? I understand she has special concerns.” The extraordinary part about this visit was that Mackenzie had never been around a disabled person before, and often was overly gregarious in her greetings. I had been concerned about her being gentle enough. Yet, Mackenzie rose to the challenge, and made Norma’s evening special. Norma enjoyed being loved, gently & peacefully, that evening from someone who simply enjoyed being by her side.

These stories are endless and almost everyone has them. I enjoy walking my dogs into town, because I’m often stopped and talked to by people who have dog memories to share. They’re a great unifier among very different people. The provide a common language for all of us. Of course, I’m just as often stopped by people who are fascinated that, combined, I walk 260 pounds of dogs.
In Yoga, a pose I enjoy practicing as part of our Sun Salutations, is Upward Facing Dog. When held for 15 seconds or more, this asana can improve posture, strengthen, arms, wrists and back, firm your abdominal muscles and has even been shown, in some cases, to improve mild depression. I find it utterly fascinating that a pose can help treat mild depression…and has the name of one of the greatest loneliness cures: dog!

Since two of my favorite topics are dogs and yoga, I have watched Animal Planet’s “K-9 Karma” for years. I am only sorry that there aren’t new episodes, but the wonderful ideas combining our pets and our yoga practice have made their ways into my heart. Unfortunately, my pets aren’t nearly as cooperative about practicing yoga as “K-9 Karma’s” host, Kari’s, are. Mine usually feel the urgent need to kiss my nose while I’m in an asana. But, it’s a wonderful, uplifting and joyful celebration of two of my passions.

So, today, take your dog for a walk. Kiss her and snuggle with her. Tell him what a wonderful boy he is ! And, if you’re not a dog owner, I can guarantee there are fabulous friends just waiting for a walk, some time spent, or even adoption, at your local shelter. Just guard your slippers.

Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ~Roger Caras

Contentment

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is." ~ Anne Frank

Isn’t it amazing that Anne Frank wrote these words not long before her family was turned in to the Secret Police ? I find it extraordinary to read about her optimism and heroic spirit, under the most trying, terrifying and tragic circumstances. It’s hard to fathom hiding in an attic, crammed together with another family, survival based solely on, to quote Tennessee Williams, “The Kindness of Strangers”, and yet to remain filled with a sense of hope and inexplicable joy. Anne Frank’s courage has always been noted, but what fascinates me beyond that valor is the happiness she felt in simply living…her zest for life coming not from outside her circumstances, but from within her loving, peaceful and sanguine heart. She was literally bubbling over with the insights into the human capacity for great promise.

Anne Frank’s words remind me that we have the potential not only for greatness in acts of kindness, love and generosity, but for deep contentment, regardless of our circumstances. I believe it’s much more difficult to remain in this state of bliss than it is to show happiness outwardly. In many ways, it much easier to lend a hand, give a hug or provide a listening ear to a friend who is struggling. These are all active qualities. The passive quality of remaining in gratification, under any duress, is more challenging. Why ? Because it requires a deep sense of balance in our perspective on our lives. Balance is very tricky to achieve. It’s easy to be happy when things our going our way! When we are laughing, singing, dancing and all good fortune seems to just flow in our direction, we can most certainly indentify with overflowing bliss. But, what happens when we lose our jobs, we’re up all night with a sick child, we find out a parent is ill or we’re very worried about our finances ? What happens in our hearts when we watch the news, seeing terrible stories that we are powerless to change ?

St. Paul wrote, “for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want.” That’s a very powerful sentiment, and deeply difficult to achieve. Yet, isn’t this precisely the sentiment Anne Frank was sharing ? We all face challenges daily. Some are astronomical in size, such as learning you have a terrible illness. Others are more mundane, and yet, can feel astronomical when we are overwhelmed by them. Our challenge isn’t always to solve the problems, but to learn how to live through them, with them and regardless of them.

The tall task we face is finding our path through the chaos, not merely for survival, but in order to thrive. Most of us can sustain times of stress. We look ahead and realize these complications will not last forever and, keeping our eye on the objective at the end of the trial, we work towards that goal. But, have we thrived during that time ? Most likely, we’ve squeaked by. The key is to live abundantly while in the midst of turbulence. There are many ways to accomplish this, and none of them are simple, ‘quick fix’ methods. Each path is completely individual, and what works for one person, may not be helpful to another. But, I believe that keeping the words of both Anne Frank and St. Paul in our minds, we can ask ourselves these questions daily:

What happened today that made me smile ?
What happened today that I did well ?
What words did I say that made someone else happy ?

By reflecting on the joy, not the sorrow, and by eliminating the negative questions our minds plague us with, we can look to the good in all things, and in all ways. Often our evening recaps of the day begin with the “bad”. The simple action of reflecting on the good…no matter how trivial it might seem…can bring us to a place of looking for the simple pleasures in our every day living. Merely halting the inner dialogue of ‘what’s wrong’ can be incredibly uplifting.

So, when the dog eats your couch, your children are arguing, you’re worried about how to pay your heating bill or you wonder what you will do for your friend whose marriage is ending, take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Simply exist, at peace, in that very moment. Tackle each challenge as it comes, but know, in your heart of hearts, that all *is* well. Imagine the possibilities of hope when you unlock the inner potential for joy, regardless of your circumstances. And, always have a cup of tea handy.

"I am not made, or unmade, by the circumstances in my life, but by my reactions to them." St. John of the Cross

Eight

When my friend, Marcia, posted this on her knitting blog, I begged her to let me copy it! What a great idea! And, of course, being me…I immediately thought of a wonderful book called “ The Eight” by Katherine Neville. It’s a twist-and-turn mystery, set during the French Revolution, with a dash of DaVinci Code throne in for good measure. It’s not a new book, but one definitely worth your time.

And now, on with the great 8 survey:

8 TV shows I watch :

1. Weeds

2. Entourage
3. John & Kate Plus 8 (that even works with the survey!)
4. House Hunters
5. Most shows on the Travel channel
6. Rachel Ray
7. The Ghost Whisperer
8. Whichever New England sports team happens to be competing..and I don’t have the remote.

8 of My Favorite Restaurants (I have too many favorites to name them all):

1. Waterfront Restaurant, Camden ME
http://www.waterfrontcamden.com/

2. The Edge, Camden, ME
http://innatoceansedge.com/dining/index.php

3. Francine’s, Camden, ME
http://www.francinebistro.com/

4. Brevetto, Camden, ME
http://www.downeast.com/The-Maine-Mouth/May-2008/The-Scoop-Brevetto-Kitchen-Wine-Bar-in-Camden/

5. The Youngtown Inn, Lincolnville, ME
http://www.youngtowninn.com/

6. Café Miranda, Rockland, ME
http://www.cafemiranda.com/

7. Suzuki Japanese Cuisine, Rockland, ME
http://www.suzukisushi.com/
8. Chez Michel, Lincolnville, ME

8 Things that happened Yesterday

1. A big section of our fence fell down for no apparent reason.

2. Murphy tried to climb the section of the fence and got stuck.

3. My dishwasher, newly replaced with a new computer chip, began making hissing noises as if it was now possessed by demons.

4. I emailed Caroline at school three times and talked to my mom twice.

5. I watched the news obsessively about the Santa Barbara fires, since I spent a great part of my childhood there.

6. I read three chapters in Margot Livesy’s new book.
7. I made Risotto, and ate almost all of it myself.
8. I took the dogs for a very long walk in the mist to work off the risotto.

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Caroline coming home for Thanksgiving!

2. Picking out the tree and decorating it.

3. Finding a new job…hopefully soon.

4. Always beginning a new book.

5. Going to Arizona in the Spring.

6. Celebrating my 22nd wedding anniversary, albeit quietly.

7. My next yoga class.

8. The first snow !

8 things on my wishlist:

1. A new fence ! ;-)

2. The perfect butter leather soft black boots.

3. Gloves that can’t be lost.

4. A Kindle e-reader.

5. World peace tied with a really good haircut ;-).

6. Teens who don’t argue.

7. Good health for all of my family and friends.

8. A trip to Ireland.

8 Things I love:

1. My husband and our children.

2. My mom.

3. My cousins, Jeff’s family, and our dear friends.

4. Our wild & crazy pets.

5. Dunkin’ Donuts raspberry coffee, light.

6. GPS…I am no longer lost all the time.

7. Fresh sourdough bread.

8. The first snow !

8 things I can't stand:

1. Traffic and long lines.

2. Watching the news and knowing I can’t do a thing about it.

3. Reality TV, other than the ones I listed.

4. People who don’t like animals.

5. Bland food.

6. Wet socks on a cold day.

7. The wrong pillow.

8. Mean people.

8 People I am tagging:

1. I don’t know if enough people follow my blog to name ! So, jump on do this too, if you’re a reader and think it’s fun !

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

5. ?

6. ?

7. ?

8.?

"The name is Bond. James Bond."

“The name is Bond. James Bond.” I don’t think any catch phrase from any movie has had the kind of staying power that those six words--six syllables even---have had. The first James Bond picture, “Dr. No”, premiered in 1962, three and a half years before I was born. And, yet, I could probably recite the script word for word. One of my earliest memories is that of going to the drive in, in my pajamas, while my parents watched “Diamonds are forever”. I remember fixating on the idea of James Bond…whether played by Sean Connery or the newest Bond, Daniel Craig…as being the archetype for the uber cool, dangerously chic Englishman. I realize that every Bond fan has a ‘favorite Bond’, but honestly, I think each actor has made the role his own, and has stepped into the very large shoes of the very large character.

So, what is it about James Bond that makes every woman swoon, and every man want to be him? Is it the impeccable Saville Row wardrobe? Or the extraordinary cars? What about those unbelievably ‘imagineered’ gadgets that Q seems to come up with next? I believe that all of these are true, and yet, there is more to the appeal of James Bond than dapper dinner jackets, witty come backs and the latest Aston-Martin. There is the mythology of a strong man, doing his best to save the world, and coming up against incredible odds. Despite the fact that I’m a particularly “girly girl”, even I’ve always wondered how I would fare pitted some of Bond’s nemeses. I think it’s fun to imagine crossing intellectual paths with Goldfinger or testing my strength against Jaws….or even what holding a Walther PPK would feel like in my hands…and I’m pro-gun control. Because good always does prevail in Bond movies, you know that Bond will always triumph. And, through him, we can envision our own triumphs against unseen, wicked forces. It’s a very powerful feeling to be able to put yourself into a place of complete surrender to a noble cause. And, through James Bond, we can do this in our pajamas with a DVD without ever having to leave the safety of home, thanks to Netflix. Those villains can devise complicated assassinations and challenging scenarios for maximum destruction, and we can defeat them…from the safety of our local movie theatre, or even our own living rooms.

Good against evil has been the earliest told story. The snake appearing in the Garden of Eden. Cain and Abel. Pharoah and Moses. The Romans persecution of the early Christian church. But our Judeo-Christian traditions aren’t our only source for Good Vs. Evil culturally. Almost every civilization has this same theme in its roots. In South America, the ancient god Mayan Guinechen fights the evil god Guecufu in a never ending battle for the enternal safety of the universe. In ancient Persia, the Zoroastrian concept of good and evil came in the form of Ahura Mazda and his twin, Angra Mainyu. According to texts, these brothers fight for the souls, the safety and the very nature of the universe. Globally, we are human beings eager for understanding the conflict, and the concepts of good and evil. We believe that by understanding the conflict, we can overcome it. When it comes right down to it, I am just as afraid of evil as the next woman. But, I have a deep and abiding faith that all will well in the end. I believe this is one reason why James Bond has such a strong appeal. James Bond, as we know, is far from perfect, but he always triumphs, no matter how dire his circumstances appear to be.

In Yoga, one of the reasons I enjoy practicing inversions is the sense of mastery over gravity. Inversions are incredible for your body in many ways: they help improve circulation and the immune system, as well as assist in overcoming sleep disorders. Shoulder stand is an incredibly empowering pose. I try to offer it at least once a week in my classes. In shoulder stand, the yogini is required not to look to either side but straight up, against the flow of nature. One’s core strength is built, as well as one’s sense of accomplishment and confidence. Shoulder stand literally sets one apart from the usual ‘stand on your feet’ posture. It’s an overcoming of the laws of nature, as we know them, and it’s all within our control. I have to admit that the first time I attempted shoulder stand, it was not a pretty sight. My shoulders felt unbalanced, my belly felt weak and my legs began to shake. I was sure the entire class would point and laugh. But, within a very short time, I discovered this was one of my favorite asanas. Not only does it feel great for your back and core, but it always leaves you with a heady feeling of triumph. Although I’ve been practicing Yoga for many years now, I still want to come out of shoulder stand and clap in victory!

Like James Bond, we all have the possibility to accomplish "good" over a wrong in our lives. It’s unlikely we’ll need to speed away in a car chase on the French Riviera, but every day we’re presented with choices. Some are ‘small evils’…such as having that caffeine late in the day. Others are big ones…such as overcoming addiction. But, we are all faced with the inevitable consequences of our actions. How we decide to choose good will be an individual decision. And, goodness, as a choice, is not always easy. But, when you’re pressed to do what’s ‘easy’, as opposed to what’s ‘right’, imagine yourself to be James Bond: strong, powerful and able to overcome all difficult scenarios. Look deep into your character and ask yourself, “Is it right or is it wrong?” before making your decision.

And, then, hop into your Alfa Romeo and drive away into the sunset…or better yet, to see the “Quantum of Solace”.

Food ! Glorious Food !

"Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort." Norman Kolpas

There is something about this time of year that begs to mind the idea of comfort food. We all want to curl up with a plate of something warm, something inviting, something simple and something nourishing. We want to taste, smell and remember foods that we ate as children. We hope those foods will bring back that simplicity and sense of safety. On gray November days, we crave those tastes that made us pause, as children, and take in the aroma of a meal we knew would make us happy. Although my father used to joke that my mom made one meal per month, and was a magician about stretching out the leftovers into ‘new choices’, I can’t help but smell Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls, Meatloaf or Pot Roast without thinking of “home”. Additionally, as we think ahead to the holidays, we can’t help but remember our extended families. To this day, when I have turkey and stuffing, I think of my cousins, and of the hijinks from the “kids’ table” at my Aunt Toots’ house every Thanksgiving. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun, or have laughed as hard, as I did during the “old days” of creating havoc in a house full of relatives. We were awful ! We would climb the stairs from the outside of the railing and jump down. We ran wild like banshees until it was time to be called in to the most delicious meal of the year.

So, it’s safe to ask, is it the food itself that makes us reminisce about carefree times ? Or is it the memories that go along with the way our sense are effected ? It’s common knowledge that smell is the most powerful of all of our senses. When times get tough, or even just the days grow shorter, we crave things that will evoke positive experiences and happier times. Since many of us love food, it’s only reasonable that comfort foods should make us feel better. Now that my daughter is away at school, even with a good cafeteria, the one thing she expresses missing is “home cooking”. So, when she’s home on break, I make sure to make her favorites; chicken pot pie, spaghetti and meatballs and Beef Stroganoff. These are the foods she thinks of as meaning “home” to her. We may all have different experiences as to what we crave when we’re feeling blue, but we know them because they have a special place in our hearts…and in our stomachs.

In Yoga, many people have a “comfort pose”. My friend, Tammie, could do the “Crow” pose with ease, and I envied her talent. But, to her, it felt good and she was able to feel that “sweet spot” in which you feel completely at ease in an asana. While this wasn’t my personal comfort pose, I found it profound to watch her in her own element. Yoga not only brings us comfort poses for ourselves, but if you practice with friends, you will learn about their specialties too…in much the same way we learn about one another’s comfort foods. When I think of specific dishes, I often think of friends and family who love them, and I smile in remembrance. In the same way, if we practice Yoga with friends, we can be reminded of them when we practice a specific pose.

Since I’m a believer in “all things in moderation”, I don’t have a problem with comfort foods. But, the “diet police” often frown upon many foods we all want as comfort. If you live a well balanced lifestyle, full of fresh air, good nutrition, healthy exercise and lots of water, I can’t see why a reasonable sized piece of your Grandma’s recipe for chocolate fudge cake is going to hurt. Life is too short to deny ourselves the good memories…and the good tastes that go with them.

"Food is not about impressing people. It's about making them feel comfortable." Ina Garten, 'The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook'

Hakuna Matata, metaphorically speaking

The first Broadway show I took my children to see was the “Lion King”. Because they had seen the movie version, and they knew all the music, I thought that it would be much easier for them to sit through the theatrical production. We went to New York with our dearest friends, and bookending the children in between us, we were prepared for any eventuality of meltdown behavior. What happened was amazing! Our children, at the time 6 and 4, were mesmerized by the show. The sang along to “Hakuna Matata”, and they waived their toy Pumbas and Timons over their heads…like lighters at a rock concert. All in all, it was an extraordinary first Broadway for them.

One confusing thing that did happen was not to my children, but rather, to me. In the beginning of the 2nd act, trapeze artists were cavorting, twirling and swinging above the heads of the actors playing Simba and Nala. Lush green “stage” vines came from the ceiling and the acrobats flew through the airs on them, always in pairs. It simply didn’t fit with what I knew of the story. So, loudly whispering (despite my reminding my children to be quiet in the theater) to my friend, Debra, I said, “I don’t get it ! What are they doing ?”. Deb whispered back, just as loudly, “Love is in the air ! It’s a METAPHOR !” I’m sure we were on the receiving end up some ugly glances from the people behind us, but I was so shocked that I “missed” what was, quite literally, flying over my head.

How often in life do we miss something that’s right in front of our faces ? How many times does a deeper meaning just pass right over us ? How often do we simply not notice the details of other peoples’ lives ? How many times do we skip right over a person’s response, when we say “How are you ?” In Yoga, we choose to look deeper into life; in body, mind & spirit. We make a conscious effort to look beyond the surface meanings of an action, and move into the next level. We attempt to work through physical asanas, as we find the next layer of ourselves hidden beneath. In short, we’re looking for the metaphors in our lives. We hope and choose to discover what each symbol in our life choices has made for us, and looking back, we can reflect on the trail of breadcrumbs, metaphorically speaking, we have left behind. As we gain insight into our own understanding of ourselves, why we are the way we are, and who we could be, we can also grow in our understanding of others, especially those most dear to us. As we practice “Lion Pose”, we are called to look inward, as we release tension outwardly. This juxtaposition of gazing inward, and exhaling out, helps us to gain insight into our body/mind connection.

That isn’t to say that every comment a loved one makes is on multiple levels. Nothing annoys my husband and teenage son more than when I say “But, how do you REALLY feel ?”, when asking them about how an activity, a day or a game went. I understand that, at times, I do tend to look under rocks where there aren’t any. That is to say “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar”, and sometimes “It was fine” is an appropriate answer. So, while digging under the surface is good, at the end of the day, we just have to remember Hakuna Matata…no worries….and open our eyes to see what we are meant to see. But, it's always good to look up and notice if love is in the air.

"Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it. " ~ Rafiki, from "The Lion King"

Adoption

Adoption is a topic that many families experience, and most of us know a friend who was, herself, adopted, or who has adopted a child. For most families, this is an enriching, wonderful and miraculous experience. My husband and I know nearly as many couples who have chosen to adopt, as we do couples with their own biological children. Many families encompass a mixture of the two. In the families we know, with both adopted and biological children, all of the children are siblings. There are no favorites. There is no gold ring or first prize for coming into a family one way or another. Adoptive families are just like biological ones. We all have our good days and our bad days with our children. We love them, and we want what’s best for them. Children of the heart come into our lives through many ways, and every adoptive mother I know has said that the pain of infertility showed her that it was meant to be…otherwise she would not have the children she does. . Regardless of the circumstances of the adoption, I believe most, if not all, families find a sense of miracle in their new children, and in their new family lives.

None of our friends have had children curious, or ask, about their biological parents to the point of searching for them. But, I do know that many children will, eventually, have a desire to know where they came from originally. I believe this is an extremely natural reaction, especially as children grow up and are in search of their own identities. However, what do you do if your searching, adult child runs into a mystery surrounding her origins ? Most adoptive parents have some vague idea of their child’s birth parents, or at the very least, the town in which the child was born. But, often, especially with international adoption, it’s frustrating and difficult to track down much more information, beyond what the families were initially given.

Because adoption has touched our lives, through our friends, so deeply, I read “The Singing Bird” by Roisin McCauely so closely. This isn’t a run of the mill, heart warming reunion story. It’s a mystery, and it’s a thriller, with the Catholic church poised center stage. The protagonist, Lena Malloy, was born in Ireland, and was adopted by American parents. In her search to truly understand who she is, and where she came from, Lena unwittingly opens a can of sinful worms, as she discovers the truth about her past. The Catholic adoption agency her family used created a smoke screen, and very little trail to follow, as Lena uncovers one sad, but unpredictable fact after another. The journey is both spine-tingling and deeply intriguing. Because I adore novels in which the twists and turns the plot takes are not predictable, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. At the same time, I grew as curious as Lena to find out the truth behind her adoption. Additionally, this novel is set in Ireland, which is one of the dream trips I hope to take someday, and each new location makes me want to add that spot to my list of “must visits”. This novel is most certainly a work of fiction, but begs questions to be asked and answered. Even if adoption hasn’t touched your life, you may find the search for truth, at the very heart of the book, to provide a compelling tale.

In Yoga, we use the term “adopt” a great deal. We speak of “adopting” poses, attitudes or mindfulness. These semantics take nothing away from the adoption of a child, or the creation of a new family. But, in a sense, we hope to embrace the same effect of ‘newness’ in the way in which we approach each practice time on the mat. In “Bird of Paradise” pose, we have to adopt a completely new sense of balance and flexibility. Ironically, these are two terms I’ve heard new adoptive mothers use as well: being able to balance their new child’s needs and being flexible to her schedule. However, in “Bird of Paradise”, our hips are opened in a completely new way, and it may be painful initially in both the knee joint and hip flexors. However, after a short time, it’s an asana that many people begin to request more frequently in my classes. In short, it shares adjectives with adoption: scary, new, opening, and finally, relaxing.

Adoption is a wonderful gift to many families. Additionally, the adoption of new practices in our lives, as well as wonderful books, can bring an awful lot of joy. Nothing is ever easy. But, with patience, persistence and a great deal of love, it’s amazing what one can accomplish.