North / Central Michigan Adoptees Meetup

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

First Meet: First Impressions
Second Meet: At the heart of things
Final Meet: Well? What did you think? Biggest take away.
Everyone will be encouraged to attend with or without video, in their comfy clothes and a to bring their favorite beverage and snacks.

Books to include:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches- Sangu Mandanna (ACC)The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches follows solitary witch Mika Moon, whose rule-bound, hidden life shifts when she’s invited to the secluded Nowhere House to train three untamed young witches. Amid prickly allies, simmering romance, and unexpected bonds, she must decide if she’ll fight to protect the home—and family—she’s begun to love. While this book is not explicitly adoptee content, there are not only parallels - but it is a perfect book to start during the halloween season.
Dates Covered: Oct 22 | Nov 5 | Dec 3

The Women - Kristin Hannah
Set in the mid‑1960s, The Women follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a 20‑year‑old from a wealthy, military‑oriented California family, who defies her parents' expectations to serve in the Vietnam War.
Dates Covered: Dec 17 | Jan 7 | Jan 21

Goodbye Again - Candace Cahill (ACC)
Candace lost her son twice. The first time to adoption and the second not long after reuniting with him. In this heart wrenching and heartwarming memoir, Candace Cahill offers an intimate view of child relinquishment and child loss, the definition of motherhood, and how two things can be true at one time.
Dates Covered: Feb 4 | Feb 18 | Mar 4

Famous in a Small Town - Viola Shipman ***Michigan Author
Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she’s just turned forty with nothing to show for it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky’s memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange visions over the lake she was never sure were real. As she works under Mary’s wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky…
Dates Covered: Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Apr 15

The Forgotten Child - Richard Gallear (ACC)
Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a memoir about a newborn abandoned and left to die, his turbulent upbringing, and his journey through abuse, trauma, and adversity toward survival and resilience. The book explores the lasting impact of abandonment, the search for identity and truth, and the difficult process of finding strength after profound childhood trauma. This book provides an opportunity to examine the lifelong impact of early separation and childhood experiences through the eyes of someone who lived them. It invites discussion about identity, survival, resilience, and what it takes to move forward without minimizing what happened.
Dates Covered: Apr 29 | May 13 | May 27

Survival and resilience — enduring extreme hardship and abuse while seeking to live a full life.
Impact of abandonment — the emotional and psychological effects of being left alone as a newborn.
Search for identity — uncovering the truth about his past and understanding who he is.

Healing and letting go — overcoming trauma and finding strength in adversity

*ACC; Adoption Centric Content

▶A note from your host, Jill Blair:
As an LDA, I find myself craving connection within our community.
I appreciate the time I spend with friends who just "get it". When I'm not doing that, or working, or having travel adventures, I love to read and escape. I would say since coming out of the fog around 2016, I have been been especially drawn to books that are adoptee centric. I like to learn, and feel while gaining new perspectives and challenging ones already established.So, with all of that, I wanted to combine my favorite books with some of my favorite people for a couple of Zooms each month. We can connect and discuss how these books make us feel, think or maybe even how they challenge us. Each book has 3 scheduled meets. Come for one or all of the 5 scheduled books.
I hope to see you there! J~

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

First Meet: First Impressions
Second Meet: At the heart of things
Final Meet: Well? What did you think? Biggest take away.
Everyone will be encouraged to attend with or without video, in their comfy clothes and a to bring their favorite beverage and snacks.

Books to include:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches- Sangu Mandanna (ACC)The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches follows solitary witch Mika Moon, whose rule-bound, hidden life shifts when she’s invited to the secluded Nowhere House to train three untamed young witches. Amid prickly allies, simmering romance, and unexpected bonds, she must decide if she’ll fight to protect the home—and family—she’s begun to love. While this book is not explicitly adoptee content, there are not only parallels - but it is a perfect book to start during the halloween season.
Dates Covered: Oct 22 | Nov 5 | Dec 3

The Women - Kristin Hannah
Set in the mid‑1960s, The Women follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a 20‑year‑old from a wealthy, military‑oriented California family, who defies her parents' expectations to serve in the Vietnam War.
Dates Covered: Dec 17 | Jan 7 | Jan 21

Goodbye Again - Candace Cahill (ACC)
Candace lost her son twice. The first time to adoption and the second not long after reuniting with him. In this heart wrenching and heartwarming memoir, Candace Cahill offers an intimate view of child relinquishment and child loss, the definition of motherhood, and how two things can be true at one time.
Dates Covered: Feb 4 | Feb 18 | Mar 4

Famous in a Small Town - Viola Shipman ***Michigan Author
Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she’s just turned forty with nothing to show for it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky’s memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange visions over the lake she was never sure were real. As she works under Mary’s wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky…
Dates Covered: Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Apr 15

The Forgotten Child - Richard Gallear (ACC)
Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a memoir about a newborn abandoned and left to die, his turbulent upbringing, and his journey through abuse, trauma, and adversity toward survival and resilience. The book explores the lasting impact of abandonment, the search for identity and truth, and the difficult process of finding strength after profound childhood trauma. This book provides an opportunity to examine the lifelong impact of early separation and childhood experiences through the eyes of someone who lived them. It invites discussion about identity, survival, resilience, and what it takes to move forward without minimizing what happened.
Dates Covered: Apr 29 | May 13 | May 27

Survival and resilience — enduring extreme hardship and abuse while seeking to live a full life.
Impact of abandonment — the emotional and psychological effects of being left alone as a newborn.
Search for identity — uncovering the truth about his past and understanding who he is.

Healing and letting go — overcoming trauma and finding strength in adversity

*ACC; Adoption Centric Content

▶A note from your host, Jill Blair:
As an LDA, I find myself craving connection within our community.
I appreciate the time I spend with friends who just "get it". When I'm not doing that, or working, or having travel adventures, I love to read and escape. I would say since coming out of the fog around 2016, I have been been especially drawn to books that are adoptee centric. I like to learn, and feel while gaining new perspectives and challenging ones already established.So, with all of that, I wanted to combine my favorite books with some of my favorite people for a couple of Zooms each month. We can connect and discuss how these books make us feel, think or maybe even how they challenge us. Each book has 3 scheduled meets. Come for one or all of the 5 scheduled books.
I hope to see you there! J~

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Susan Christin is a founding member of Adoptee Advocates of Michigan and has facilitated more than 200 reunions between biological family members and adopted people through her service as a search angel. She has extensive experience in helping people get their information. Please RSVP if you can commit to attending.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82983484267?pwd=kQHzbshjkC0aopn6Ce7ucQ7l8gMS4w.1
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(All donations go to support the work of Adoptee Advocates of Michigan)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

First Meet: First Impressions
Second Meet: At the heart of things
Final Meet: Well? What did you think? Biggest take away.
Everyone will be encouraged to attend with or without video, in their comfy clothes and a to bring their favorite beverage and snacks.

Books to include:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches- Sangu Mandanna (ACC)The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches follows solitary witch Mika Moon, whose rule-bound, hidden life shifts when she’s invited to the secluded Nowhere House to train three untamed young witches. Amid prickly allies, simmering romance, and unexpected bonds, she must decide if she’ll fight to protect the home—and family—she’s begun to love. While this book is not explicitly adoptee content, there are not only parallels - but it is a perfect book to start during the halloween season.
Dates Covered: Oct 22 | Nov 5 | Dec 3

The Women - Kristin Hannah
Set in the mid‑1960s, The Women follows Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a 20‑year‑old from a wealthy, military‑oriented California family, who defies her parents' expectations to serve in the Vietnam War.
Dates Covered: Dec 17 | Jan 7 | Jan 21

Goodbye Again - Candace Cahill (ACC)
Candace lost her son twice. The first time to adoption and the second not long after reuniting with him. In this heart wrenching and heartwarming memoir, Candace Cahill offers an intimate view of child relinquishment and child loss, the definition of motherhood, and how two things can be true at one time.
Dates Covered: Feb 4 | Feb 18 | Mar 4

Famous in a Small Town - Viola Shipman ***Michigan Author
Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she’s just turned forty with nothing to show for it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky’s memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange visions over the lake she was never sure were real. As she works under Mary’s wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky…
Dates Covered: Mar 18 | Apr 1 | Apr 15

The Forgotten Child - Richard Gallear (ACC)
Based on a true story, The Forgotten Child is a memoir about a newborn abandoned and left to die, his turbulent upbringing, and his journey through abuse, trauma, and adversity toward survival and resilience. The book explores the lasting impact of abandonment, the search for identity and truth, and the difficult process of finding strength after profound childhood trauma. This book provides an opportunity to examine the lifelong impact of early separation and childhood experiences through the eyes of someone who lived them. It invites discussion about identity, survival, resilience, and what it takes to move forward without minimizing what happened.
Dates Covered: Apr 29 | May 13 | May 27

Survival and resilience — enduring extreme hardship and abuse while seeking to live a full life.
Impact of abandonment — the emotional and psychological effects of being left alone as a newborn.
Search for identity — uncovering the truth about his past and understanding who he is.

Healing and letting go — overcoming trauma and finding strength in adversity

*ACC; Adoption Centric Content

▶A note from your host, Jill Blair:
As an LDA, I find myself craving connection within our community.
I appreciate the time I spend with friends who just "get it". When I'm not doing that, or working, or having travel adventures, I love to read and escape. I would say since coming out of the fog around 2016, I have been been especially drawn to books that are adoptee centric. I like to learn, and feel while gaining new perspectives and challenging ones already established.So, with all of that, I wanted to combine my favorite books with some of my favorite people for a couple of Zooms each month. We can connect and discuss how these books make us feel, think or maybe even how they challenge us. Each book has 3 scheduled meets. Come for one or all of the 5 scheduled books.
I hope to see you there! J~

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER