204: Losing My Son Twice

Candace Cahill placed her son as an infant in 1990. Their semi-open adoption closed when he was 8, but contact was reestablished at 18. After navigating the complexities of reunion for five years and only a single face-to-face meeting, Michael died in his sleep of natural causes. Shocked and devastated at losing him a second time, Candace attended the funeral, where she encountered unexpected compassion from Michael’s family. They proudly introduced her as Michael’s birth mother, which contradicted years of self-sabotaging internal messages. Their acceptance, along with her husband’s encouragement, launched Candace on her path to healing. This episode will help you understand mothering in surprising ways, and you won't want to miss it.

Show Notes

Website: candacecahill.com (memoir, etc)

Website: thomascahilldesigns.com/about (jewelry, etc)

Facebook: Candace Cahill

Instagram: candace_cahill_

Twitter: @candace_cahill_

Mentioned: "Do your work people!" Episode 108 with Rebecca Vahle,

Transcript

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About this Podcast

Lori Holden (The Open-Hearted Way to Open Adoption: Helping Your Child Grow Up Whole) brings to you an array of articulate and thought-provoking guests with lived experience in adoption, each with valuable insights to share about the all-encompassing journey of parenting an adopted person from babyhood to toddlerhood to school age to teenage -- and ultimately to adulthood. Join us as we explore Adoption: The Long View.

Named a Top 25 Adoption Podcast