There are so many people to thank! I want to thank all my adoption peeps, who are so dear to my heart: the NJ care group, AAC – thank you, I adore you all. I would have to write another book to truly explain how you have all individually helped me. You are my soul family.
To my peeps: Sarah Elizabeth Greer, Tom McGee, David Petruzziello, Lisa Cooper, Kelly Ann, Kathy Coley, Kathy Costantino, Andrew Majkovich, Joe Pessolano, Pete Franklin, Judy Foster, Pam Hasagawa, Paula Monson, Nicole Burton, Lois Destefano, Pam Dixon Kroskie, Thomas Park Clement, Ron Nydam, Delores Tellor, Marilyn Waugh, William Kollar, Andrew Witt and Daryll McDaniels.
Thanks to Concerned United Birthparents: Mimi Janes, Karen Vedder, Trish Lay, Brian Stanton.
To Conram Baaf for publishing my first book, and particular thanks to Shaila Shar, Miranda Davis and Michelle Bell.
To Nicky Campbell for all your support and for writing the Foreword.
To Nimmy March.
To Marlou Russell for her wisdom and support.
To Lori Cooke and The Hyde School.
To Gabor Mate for all your support and wisdom.
To my wonderfully patient DNA search angel, Gaye Sherman Tannenbaum, who I know I drove crazy.
To Eliza and Eric Roberts, who directed my play, thank you for all your support and love over the years. To Keaton Simmons for the years of friendship.
To my dearest recovery friends, words do not express the gratitude and joy I feel for being lucky enough to trudge the road with you guys: Serena Roe, James Macaffrey, Terry Dove, Anita Nurse/Chellemah, Lisa Climie and Leslie Channon. To Paul Pickard (who I miss so much).
To my dear friend Penny Anderson for our daily talks and your encouragement and love.
To the Yanks in my life: my partner-in-crime Andrew Cohen, Elisa Stearn, William Kollar, Jimmy Ferrante, Marica Gloster Ammeen, Julie Jones, Diana Jones, Doug Feinstein, Elizabeth Rush, Carrie Cantor and Jane Schriener.
To Sandy Kugleman, I miss you.
To Lynne Oyama for all your support.
To the Brits in NJ. Yomi, Kofi, Michelle, Jemma and Deborah P.
To Melanie Redmond for the years being my singing sister and to Pete Briquette.
To my neighbours from childhood, my sisters, my friends, Katie Lachter, Roberta Rose and Debbie Roberts. Our street was insane but I never would have survived it without you all.
To Virginia Weissmuller, Janie Moore, Dani Medlin and Simon Hall for years of friendship.
To my fourth child Nina Sepal.
To Anna Ickowitz for your endless acceptance and love.
To Ronnie Paris, for the friendship and music.
To Richard Thompson for all your love and support. I’m so grateful you are in my life.
A special thank you to Bob Geldof for introducing me to Mark Cowne, and to Mark for not giving up on me and for setting up the meeting with Adrian Sington.
I would like to thank Adrian Sington for his support and encouragement for me completing this book and urging me, carefully and compassionately, to be as honest as I can.
To Bonnier and John Blake Publishing, and to my editor, Ciara Lloyd, for her patience and commitment to this book.
To my biological sister Roberta and brother Orlando, and their beautiful children, Georgia, Sienna and Poppy who I so love being an aunt too – thank you for embracing me.
To my new American sister, Michelle: I am still so overwhelmed by the kind, gracious person you are. I feel like I won the jackpot!
Thank you to Allessandro and your wife and children, for opening your door to me and my children as soon as you knew about my existence.
To Antonio’s wife, Lisa: how can I ever thank you for your open welcome arms? Your generosity has changed me.
To my ex-husband: thank you for making me a mother and being such a solid father for our beautiful children.
And of course to my babies, Zachary, Kayla and Arden. How do I put into words this kind of love? You have made my life – you fill my heart till it bursts with joy and pride.
To my birth mother, my birth father, my adoptive mother and my adoptive father: for being born and being raised, I thank you. I’m part of all of you, woven together in the finest threads.
This book is especially for anyone who has been touched by adoption: may your hearts be healed and your voices heard.