"The Times They Are A-Changing." I like that Bob Dylan song. It seems, well, timeless. There are others from that era that seem both timeless and prescient, particularly a few by Marvin Gaye:

From "What's Going On"

"Mother, mother there's too many of you crying. Brother, brother, brother, there's far too many of you dying....Father, father, we don't need to escalate. You see, war is not the answer, for only love can conquer hate.."

And from "Mercy, Mery, Me"

"Oh, mercy, mercy me. Oh, things ain't what they... more

This forty-seven going on forty-eight year old Mom has just been taught a thing or two about compassion, love and life, from a mentally and emotionally challenged twenty-one year old.

K’s Birth mom, who lost her daughter K through the foster system, called to wish me Happy Mothers Day last night.

Whew.

I am humbled.

Maybe it's because last night I spoke to my mother AND my daughter, but I'm feeling particularly sappy this morning ... a bit misty-eyed and tender around my edges. Yes, sometimes the distance between me and so many of those I love is very difficult.

For the most part, I cruise along in my day-to-day busily doing stuff that needs doing, enjoying enjoyable things, focused fairly narrowly on Mark and Sam and Cj and today's blogs and tonight's dinner. Every so often, however, the aperture through which I view life is forced wide open, obliging my inner eye to encompass not only... more

It's not Mother's Day where I am. (I've made the point elsewhere.) It is, however, Mother's Day where my mother is in California. It's also Mother's Day where my oldest daughter, mother to my granddaughter, is in North Carolina, and I'm using this space today to wish them a wonderful day. Them, and others.

Readers, thank you in advance for your indulgence.

Mom, as every year, I'm so grateful for all you've done for me and with me in my life. Without your views, your perspective,... more

It is late. My family is sleeping and I want to write about Mother's day tomorrow. I think it's sort of a strange day to celebrate. Every day I feel lucky to be a Mother.

I'm happy, contented, I don't need flowers or cards. Having a daughter is enough joy on this day.

It is my Mother's big day as well. I wonder how my mother has viewed this day in years past. I remember going out to eat, making gifts, sending flowers. As the years went on, distance separated us, and the gifts got smaller, but the sentiment is the same. Now that I really appreciate her in... more

Yesterday I talked about a new book out called "Motherless Mothers" and the issues it raises relating to adopting at an older age.

Although I love being a mom to young kids at the ripe old age of fifty-four, I hate the thought of all I'm bound to miss. Acknowledging the reality of the cycle of life doesn't bring any great comfort when I think of Sam and Cj all grown... more

So, I'm goofing around on the internet looking for older adoptive parenting info and other stuff and I come across this site. I am not even sure what adoption agency hosts this particular link, all I can tell is that it is a link to a foreign adoption agency. You can type in your age and find out if you're too to adopt or not. There is a disclaimer that says other factors are taken into consideration besides age.

I know the agency hosting this link did not intend for it to be used like a silly game... more

I tend to hoard magazines until I have time to read them. I subscribe to a few, Vanity Fair and Oprahs’ are my favorite. Although I don’t subscribe to People, I admit to occasionally buying it when a cover catches my fancy.

Any magazine that doesn’t get totally read, goes into my travel drawer for next time I travel. At that time, I choose whatever magazines get my attention and bring them for the travel, leaving them behind at distant locals after I’ve read them.

This last trip to visit family, I pulled out an old People Magazine. December 2003 to be exact. ... more

I can't let this discussion of sixty-plus women go by without dropping in some men bits. (No use flinching, guys, as your contribution should be held up for inspection by the general public just as often, and as easily.)

Although Dr. Rashbrook is being raked over the coals, the man standing by her side through the process, I've noticed, is also no spring chicken. His age may not be splattered all over the headlines,... more

If you thought only older adoptive parents get grief from people with opinions not in favor of them parenting, check out what this woman in England is going through while seven months pregnant.

Patricia Rashbrook, a consultant psychiatrist with the East Sussex Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, will be sixty-three when she delivers her third child.

She won't be breaking any records, but joining a very exclusive club, nonetheless ... a couple of months ago, a California woman gave birth... more