About THE SAME SMILE
Joanne, and I wrote this book because we felt it was time for a "get down on your knees and be thankful" story, to celebrate our lives and that all too seldom second chance we are rarely offered in life.
Carol Schaefer, author of her own adoption memoir, "The Other Mother", which NBC made into a movie by the same name has this to say about The Same Smile..."To lose a child is devastating, but to lose two and survive with heart and spirit stronger requires the sort of courage that truly uplifts and inspires. Susan Mello Souza's 'The Same Smile' reveals the depth of love, faith and persistence it takes to create a 'happy-ever-after' ending to an adoption reunion. It's the perfect book to read anytime, but especially at the moment in your journey when all feels hopeless."
Music
Here are some of my favorite songs from over the years. Click on your favorite after "Wind Beneath My Wings" ends...Enjoy, and let the memories roll!
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Movies
I know this space is for Movies, but its also a great space for my message!
BEFORE YOU SURRENDER...
STOP and really think about what you are doing. Right now, you can only see the immediate future, not the long haul. You need to contact a Mom who has lived with the effects of relinquishment for 10 years or more.
Feel free to contact me here at MySpace
OR any of the moms at Mothers Reunited:
myspace.com/mothersreunited
Or, at Mothers Awaiting Reunion: myspace.com/mothersawaitingreunion
They will be honest and forthright. They will offer you support & encouragement to do the natural thing...keep your baby. A mother and child should never be separated for financial or social reasons and the mothers at Mothers Reunited will show you how.
They are a FREE online support groups to all girls considering renliquishment or trying to cope with the realities of a relinquishment that has already taken place.
Please take advantage of the love and experience these FirstMoms have to offer.
THE SAME SMILE, of course!
Also, "The Girls Who Went Away" by Ann Fessler
"Soul Connection" by Ann Hughes
"Chasing Away the Shadows" by Zara Phillips
"Not Remembered, Never Forgotten" by Robert Hafetz
"Finding Me In A Paper Bag" by Sally Howard
Heroes
MY DAUGHTERS:
KRISTINE & BETHANY, my lifelines – I love and cherish you both beyond measure. Without your unselfish love, patience and understanding, I would be just another heartbroken mother living a day-to-day existence. Your unfailing support during the most difficult days of my life: losing Jackie and searching for Joanne, means everything to me.
JOANNE, MY PRECIOUS FIRST-BORN – Your smile melted away the pain of remembering. Your spirit fueled my resolve. Your loved filled my heart.
MY ANGEL, JACKIE – Has time stood still? For it seems only yesterday you were my little girl in pigtails. Then again, it seems a lifetime since I held you in my arms and told you how much I loved you. You are always with me.
MY HUSBAND:
JAY, you loved and rescued me when I thought no one else could. Thank you for enriching my life and the lives of my little girls. Only to go one step further by accepting what I had done as a teenager, and then so readily loving the daughter I had so foolishly allowed to be taken away. I will always love you.
About me: In 1968, at the age of 17, I was made to surrender my first-born child, whom I named Madlyn Jeanne, to adoption; an event that forever changed the course of my life. On the last day we were together, when she was just a week old, I made a promise to find her when she turned 21.
In 1989, 2 weeks before this long awaited 21st birthday, my first raised child, Jackie, at the age of 16, was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away 5 months later in February of 1990, delaying my intended search for 7 years.
Gratefully, after selling thousands of copies of "The Same Smile," Joanne and I have lowered the price to $15.95 To order a personally autographed copy or to simply read more about our story go to: www.thesamesmile.com FREE Shipping & Handling in USA
$4.00 for International Orders All orders are shipped within 24 hours
Who I'd like to meet: I'm interested in meeting other Birth Mothers/Fathers, as well as Adoptees and Adoptive Parents who would benefit from reading our true story.
Joanne's candid and heartfelt words on being "found" add an important and fascinating dimension to our story, providing interesting insight into an adoptee's feelings.
Your story still inspires me. A dear friend was adopted, and I hope to inspire her to read the book and be open to acknowledging the love of her birth mom some day.
Site Coordinator: ADOPTION_NYC IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE UPCOMING RegDay November 14, 2009 in New York City:
The main purpose for RegDay is to increase public awareness of the International Soundex Reunion Registry or ISRR. Volunteers pass out flyers, hand out ISRR forms, answer questions, including media related and need to be able to do so calmly under pressure.
please include:
NAME CURRENT LOCATION EMAIL/MYSPACE NUMBER HOURS AVAILABLE (between 8am and 10pm)
Here's a drink on me I'm having a grand daughter in July or August and it's a miracle they said she might not ever have kids and God blessed them with a child and for everything you do to help people with adoptions your here's to families and good health
Oh wow, I did not even realize what yesterday was. Maybe that is why you kept being put in my mind though briging me to send you a quick note. I am glad so many wrote you and showed their love. I am sure that helped.
Yes, you did tell me about your daughter being engaged and getting married this November. I bet you are VERY excited!
I have been doing fine. Staying busy with school and still waiting for my husband to return from his LONG deployment.
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