Kathleen~Cathleen is a memoir that takes the reader through the parallel experiences of reunion for the adoptee and birthmother over the course of time and the unique blended family that forms as a result of reunion.
Cathy...
Our story is unique in two crucial ways. First, in other stories of adoption, the reunion is where the story ends; in Kathleen~Cathleen it is just the beginning. I liken it to the difference between a story of a wedding vs. the story of a marriage. The drama of the long-term reunion is in the perseverance and what you learn together as individuals. It will resonate with those in reunion, give insight to those curious about reunion and come as a surprise to those outside of the adoption community.
Secondly, we wanted to offer insight into the unique viewpoints of the birthmother and the adoptee and their individual experiences of reunion. In order to do that, we decided not to share our writing with each other until the manuscript was complete. After fourteen years of writing our story together, but separately, we have only just begun to share our writing with each other.
Now that we are in the finishing stages of our writing, we are in the process of seeking publication of our memoir.
If you are interested in being added to our mailing list for getting a copy of Kathleen~Cathleen upon publication, please go to "contact" above.
Cathy...
Our story is unique in two crucial ways. First, in other stories of adoption, the reunion is where the story ends; in Kathleen~Cathleen it is just the beginning. I liken it to the difference between a story of a wedding vs. the story of a marriage. The drama of the long-term reunion is in the perseverance and what you learn together as individuals. It will resonate with those in reunion, give insight to those curious about reunion and come as a surprise to those outside of the adoption community.
Secondly, we wanted to offer insight into the unique viewpoints of the birthmother and the adoptee and their individual experiences of reunion. In order to do that, we decided not to share our writing with each other until the manuscript was complete. After fourteen years of writing our story together, but separately, we have only just begun to share our writing with each other.
Now that we are in the finishing stages of our writing, we are in the process of seeking publication of our memoir.
If you are interested in being added to our mailing list for getting a copy of Kathleen~Cathleen upon publication, please go to "contact" above.
Background
In 1998, Betty Jean Lifton (Journey into the Adopted Self, Twice Born: Memoirs of an Adopted Daughter), considered the “founding mother” of adoption writing, told Kate Power and Cathy Heslin that they should write their story. Talking with Ms. Lifton at the American Adoption Congress Conference, Cathy had told Ms. Lifton that she would love for her to write about reunion stories that have longevity and tell of the whole experience rather than merely the beginning. Betty Jean replied, “You are the ones who should write it, you know the experience.”
Although there are books, articles and information on the reunion between birthparents and adoptees, first-person accounts of the experience past that initial reunion are rare. Kathleen ~ Cathleen tells the story of reunion over the course of two decades and describes all the challenges, joys, complications and growth that occur from such an experience. This story will inspire anyone who has questions about or interest in the adoption experience. Even more, Kate and Cathy’s experience will challenge people to explore the unimaginable.
Kathleen (Kate Power) is an active folksinger, songwriter, recording artist and teacher whose life in music began in metropolitan NYC in the 1960's, and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1977 where she resides. Kate won the “Music to Life” Grand Prize at Kerrvillle Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas (2006) for her song, “Travis John.” She was co-owner with her musician-artist husband, Steve Einhorn, of historic musical instrument shop, stage and school in southeast Portland, Artichoke Music, (1981-2006) . Kate & Steve were featured guests on “A Prairie Home Companion” and performed with many iconic folk luminaries over the years (Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Odetta). Kate created Mothertone as her counterblog to the contemporary topics shared in her daughter's Reunioneyes blog, and shares her perspectives as birthmother-in-reunion on the evolving topics and issues that go beyond the youthful coming-of-age time frame of the book Kathleen~Cathleen. Mutual topics delve into life events that come with a maturing reunion.
Cathleen (Cathy Heslin) is a mother, writer and gardener who works in marketing by day in Portland, Oregon, following years as a Department Manager at Portland State University and Design Operations Manager at Nike. As a writer, Cathy has contributed articles for blogs, anthologies and publications, as well as website content and articles for her clients. Along with co-authoring Kathleen~Cathleen, Cathy has created the blog Reunioneyes to share her adoption and reunion experiences and to offer a place for other adoptees to share in an open dialogue on adoption and reunion.
Although there are books, articles and information on the reunion between birthparents and adoptees, first-person accounts of the experience past that initial reunion are rare. Kathleen ~ Cathleen tells the story of reunion over the course of two decades and describes all the challenges, joys, complications and growth that occur from such an experience. This story will inspire anyone who has questions about or interest in the adoption experience. Even more, Kate and Cathy’s experience will challenge people to explore the unimaginable.
Kathleen (Kate Power) is an active folksinger, songwriter, recording artist and teacher whose life in music began in metropolitan NYC in the 1960's, and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1977 where she resides. Kate won the “Music to Life” Grand Prize at Kerrvillle Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas (2006) for her song, “Travis John.” She was co-owner with her musician-artist husband, Steve Einhorn, of historic musical instrument shop, stage and school in southeast Portland, Artichoke Music, (1981-2006) . Kate & Steve were featured guests on “A Prairie Home Companion” and performed with many iconic folk luminaries over the years (Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Odetta). Kate created Mothertone as her counterblog to the contemporary topics shared in her daughter's Reunioneyes blog, and shares her perspectives as birthmother-in-reunion on the evolving topics and issues that go beyond the youthful coming-of-age time frame of the book Kathleen~Cathleen. Mutual topics delve into life events that come with a maturing reunion.
Cathleen (Cathy Heslin) is a mother, writer and gardener who works in marketing by day in Portland, Oregon, following years as a Department Manager at Portland State University and Design Operations Manager at Nike. As a writer, Cathy has contributed articles for blogs, anthologies and publications, as well as website content and articles for her clients. Along with co-authoring Kathleen~Cathleen, Cathy has created the blog Reunioneyes to share her adoption and reunion experiences and to offer a place for other adoptees to share in an open dialogue on adoption and reunion.
Appearances Past and Ahead...
The authors have read excerpts from their personal chapters of Kathleen~Cathleen at Fishtrap Writers Retreat at Wallowa Lake in eastern Oregon (2014) and at the invitation to present at the American Adoption Congress in San Francisco (2015) in a joint presentation to read alternating side from turning points in a few chapters of Kathleen~Cathleen. Kate and Cathy plan to read each other's chapters upon completion (it's getting close) and to seek an agent to find the best publisher for the project. From the beginning, the goal has been - and continues to be - to deepen compassion and understanding of adoption and reunion worldwide by sharing the true life and experiences of Kathleen~Cathleen.