Every year on this day, May 10th, is a day of reflection for me, a day of celebration, but also a day of understanding how important the role of being a mother is for me. Today is my second birthday. The day I was brought home from the adoption agency. 

My mother and I always celebrated this day together. For my mom it was the day she brought me home, for me, it was the day that I was fortunate enough to be 'chosen' to be a part of this family. Not only did I have wonderful parents, but I got my sister, too!

My mother tried for 7 yrs to get pregnant and was told maybe she couldn't so they came back from Europe to Kentucky, (where they were from) and adopted me. They took me back to Greece, (my father was a tobacco buyer) and low and behold, she got pregnant with my sister. I guess she relaxed and accepted that she wouldn't have children and got blessed with Toni. I used to tease my sister that if it weren't for me, she wouldn't be here, but in a way, it's true. 

Sure, there were a lot of hard times, and there were times, (when I was a teen) that I cursed them, but that was all chalked up to growing pains and figuring out who I was. It's not easy being adopted. First you feel you don't have an identity of your own, and you go through a rough part where you feel you weren't wanted by your birth parents, but my mother always used to tell me I was 'chosen' and therefore 'special'. I realize now there are thousands of reasons why people choose to give up their child for adoption, and that it really is the most selfless act to do for your child. If my birth mother is out there, somewhere, I want to thank her for giving me the chance at a good life and that she is thought of often, even though I do not know her. She is always in my heart. 

My reflection of her is when I think of my own children and grandchildren and I am so grateful to have them in my lives. I am sure she thought of me too and probably regretted her decision at certain points in her life, but it all turned out the way it was supposed to. 

So now on the Mother's Day weekend, I just want to say I am blessed in several different ways. First, the love a caring of the woman that raised me, through the good and the bad times. Second, the beautiful children that I was blessed to raise, and the amazing outcome of seeing them flourish and become wonderful adults. And third, the precious grandchildren that came from my bloodline. 

Lots to be thankful for! I am also grateful for having such a wonderful sister and that we have this time together to write the books. It really has been an amazing experience writing together and I look forward to seeing our work come to life! We weren't always close, (sibling rivalry) but we got passed all the drama and decided to come together and give it our all together. One of the best decisions I've ever made.

So to all the mother's out there, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's day. You all deserve to be pampered and cooked for, and don't forget to look back at all the trials, and gifts of the life of raising your children. It is a gift from God, the Universal Spirit of life.

Now a few updates - I will be setting up the dates for our blog tour next week, so news on that soon. I hope you get to participate since there will be excerpts, and cover reveal, and prizes along the way. 

Also, the formatting is, of course, running into issues, but I am at the point where if I don't laugh I will cry. It is becoming rather comical. We should be getting the "proof" in the mail next week and hopefully it all looks good and we can launch. On the formatting of the epub, they are having problems with the upload of the book. I guess it is kicking out certain words so they are working on that issue. It's always something. I have decided to give up on the stress and roll with the punches. It will happen, I just don't know when.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to give your mom a big hug and kiss!

Love, Lisa