My Life Before: The story of creating a family thru adoption
Local writers Pippa and Andry Seichrist will introduce their recently-released memoir, My Life Before: A Memoir of a Family Created Through Adoption, on Tuesday, June 24 at 2 p.m. at the Hudson Library in Highlands.
Books will be available for purchase and signing at this free program.
My Life Before captures both the joyful moments and the heart-wrenching challenges as Andry adjusts to a new life in America after being adopted by Pippa and Ron, offering a perspective seldom heard from adopted children. Readers are taken on a transformative journey through Andry’s memories—ranging from childhood struggles in a Ukraine village, to the orphanage, to the eventual adoption that brought new meaning to his life.
“What’s the first thing you remember?” The question was asked by a mother looking for a way to get to know her newly-adopted, 13-year-old son. She wondered if the boy would understand her question, or speak enough English to be able to answer. Before coming to the States a few months earlier, he had been in a Ukrainian orphanage. The boy’s answer was so remarkable she wrote it down. The memory he shared was, at the same time, naive, worldly and shocking.
Over the next several years, she listened as he told her more stories about his life. She began to understand her son’s unusual behavior, and he grew to trust his new mother. Their revealing stories will give you insight into adopting older children, and if it is our genes, experiences, or free will that determines who we become.
Pippa and Andry Seichrist live in the Highlands area. Pippa started Satolah Creek Farm, a magical wedding venue and farm stay located on a 120-year-old farm. She is also the folk artist behind Dog Face Pottery. and creates custom face jugs of people’s pups. Before moving to the mountains full-time, Pippa, along with her husband, started and ran the most awarded advertising and design school in the world. It has 15 locations in eight countries. After attending his parent’s school, Andry started his career as a copywriter and worked at some of the top agencies in the country, but the mountains called to him too. He started Grass Stone Wood, a landscaping and home maintenance company that serves the greater Highlands area.
For more information or to request an accommodation, please call the library at 828-526-3031. Hudson Library, 554 Main Street in Highlands, is open 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday.