chapter excerpts
honeymoonThis excerpt is when Cathy first arrives in Portland after college to spend the summer with Kate.
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going darkAs the summer comes to an end, Kate and Cathy each question how (and if) their relationship should continue.
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duskCathy begins to settle into her own life in Portland but feels trapped in her relationship with her birthmother. Kate doesn't know what went wrong or how to fix it.
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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.
In many stories of adoption, reunion is where the story ends; in Kathleen~Cathleen it's just the beginning. Like the story of a marriage compared to a story of a wedding, long-term reunion is about perseverance—coming together and falling apart, navigating through a foreign emotional landscape and finding yourself in a different place from where you began. It will resonate with those in reunion, give insight to those questioning whether to search and give insight to family and friends effected by adoption.
We are working through the final draft and seeking publication. Come back for updates!
In many stories of adoption, reunion is where the story ends; in Kathleen~Cathleen it's just the beginning. Like the story of a marriage compared to a story of a wedding, long-term reunion is about perseverance—coming together and falling apart, navigating through a foreign emotional landscape and finding yourself in a different place from where you began. It will resonate with those in reunion, give insight to those questioning whether to search and give insight to family and friends effected by adoption.
We are working through the final draft and seeking publication. Come back for updates!
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.