Sandi Sumner Livres

I spent almost two years observing everyday events at The Animal Clinic of Woodland Park, Colorado. It began with a visit to Dr. David Volz to determine if our dog Heidi needed surgery because she injured a back leg. Volz explained he'd had knee surgery the week before, thus it was easier to examine our 74-pound dog on the floor. He wanted to x-ray Heidi to be sure his examination concurred with his diagnosis for surgery. While Volz and Heidi were still on the floor I blurted out, "Would you let me write a book about you?" He didn't blink as he calmly said "Yes." We'd never met before that day yet we seemed to comfortably bond. About ten days later we met late one day after he finished work, for coffee and to get acquainted. I gave him a copy of my other books to help him have more awareness of me as a writer. (Later on I learned his wife is a journalist.)

Until now, Sumner has concentrated on writing three nonfiction books, about the accomplishments and challenges of Alaska's women pilots, and mountain climbers. This book about adoption and reunion is her first fiction book on a subject she is very passionate about because she is an adoptee. Sumner began searching for her birth mother in 1980 and has never located her. However, in January, 1994, she made her initial contact with Harley Shuffler, who was Juanita's brother from a family of ten children. Juanita has not been in contact with any of her family members since 1980. Her whereabouts unknown even today. The author and her adoptive mother never bonded in spite of Sumner's efforts to love and understand her. Creating dialogue and open discussion about adoption is the author's goal. School Psychologist Peg Montieth, MS, said, "All sides in adoption learn and grow from knowing other people's stories. This book is very empowering."