Searching for Mom is a "disarmingly honest" mother-daughter story. Sara Easterly spent a lifetime looking for the perfect mother. As an adoptee she had difficulties attaching to her mother, struggled with her faith, lived the effects of intergenerational wounding, and felt an inherent sense of being unwanted that drove her to perfectionism, suicidal ideations, and fantasy mothers. When she became a mom, her search to find and become "the perfect mother" intensified ... until her mother's death launched a spiritual epiphany. Sara's perspective as an adoptee offers insight for anyone in the adoption constellation. And her hopeful story with themes of belonging, family, forgiveness, and being known are universally relevant to all mothers and daughters.
Praise for Searching for Mom:
"As an adoptive mom four times over, I'm hungry for the perspective of adult adoptees. Sara Easterly's Searching for Mom is powerfully delivered. Sara's vulnerable writing, backed up by research and supported by scripture, allowed me a valuable glimpse into the secret places in the hearts of my children."
--Shannan Martin, Author of The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free
"I entered into Sara Easterly's story expecting a riveting narrative--which it is, to be sure. What I didn't expect was a story that would speak to me so personally. Searching for Mom is, on the surface, a memoir about adoption. Beyond that, though, it's also a book about our common quest for wholeness, meaning, connection, belonging, and truth. Sara explores these deeply universal themes with unflinching honesty, authenticity, and vulnerability, which means this book will speak straight to your heart and soul--whether you are an adoptee or not."
--Michelle DeRusha, Author of True You: Letting Go of Your False Self to Uncover the Person God Created
"A touching story of raw daughter-mother attachment with all its imperfections and heartaches, together with surprising twists and redemptive forgiveness. It rings true because it is truly delivered."
--Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., Founder, Neufeld Institute, and best-selling author of Hold On to Your Kids
"Fiercely personal, Sara's memoir exposes the cracks in her formerly sugarcoated adoption story. Sara perseveres in seeking the truth, revealing the painful wounds of adoption loss. We follow her journey to healing with both her mothers, which unexpectedly culminates in a newfound understanding of God's mothering."
--Haley Radke, Creator and host of Adoptees On podcast
"Sara has written a disarmingly honest memoir about pursuing truth--truth about herself, her faith, her family, and even truth about her pursuit of truth. She beautifully conveys that a genuine pursuit of truth becomes the soil in which healing love grows. A worthwhile read from beginning to end."
--Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor of Bethany Community Church and author of The Map is Not the Journey and The Colors of Hope
"A beautiful piece of work. Sara speaks the truth in this book and the truth sets people free!"
--Sundee Frazier, Award-winning author of Check All That Apply and the Cleo Edison Oliver series
"Sara Easterly has created a fearlessly beautiful story of a daughter's search for a kind of perfect love she actually--in the end and much to her own surprise--finds."
--Anne Heffron, Author of You Don't Look Adopted
Easterly, Sara: - Sara Easterly is mom to two tenacious daughters and daughter of two amazing moms-both her adoptive mom and her birth mother. She enjoys supporting other mothers in their journeys and has a passion for helping others understand the often-misunderstood hearts of adopted children. Sara's children's book, Lights, Camera, Fashion!, illustrated by Jaime Temairik, garnered an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award and Parents' Choice Silver Honor, among other awards. Her essays and articles have been published by Dear Adoption, Feminine Collective, Her View From Home, Godspace, Neufeld Institute, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and Seattle Neufeld Community. Previously Sara led one of the largest chapters of the SCBWI, and she was recognized as SCBWI Member of the Year. Find her online at www.saraeasterly.com.
