Off to Florida soon for me! The CUB Retreat is coming up on Oct. 6-8, and I am looking forward to attending. This CUB retreat will be my third one, and I am looking forward to seeing some of the warm and wonderful people I have met at past retreats.

Ann Fessler, the author of "the Girls Who Went Away," will be speaking at the retreat this year. With the success of her book, she is making the rounds and all reports are that she is winning many hearts along the way. Her book has been very well received and much appreciated, particularly by many birth mothers. Reading her book has been a revelation for many mothers who believed themselves to be alone with their loss. Many of the women that she interviewed for her book will also be at the retreat.

This year's retreat is in celebration of the 30th year of CUB's existence. At least one of the founders of the group will be speaking at the retreat. Lee Campbell, who is credited (or blamed depending on who you ask) with helping coin the term "birthmother" is scheduled to speak at the retreat.

Birth moms make up the bulk of the group, but, we are fortunate to have many adoptees as well. I believe that we really profit from our interaction - that of the adoptees and birth moms I mean. There are also a few birth dads, adoptive moms, adoption professionals and siblings. Usually several authors attend with their books for sale as well.

Since I have a friend who lives near the retreat site, I will fly in a few days early to spend some time with her. What fun it will be to catch up with her for a day or two! We both just joined the CUB board this year, so we'll be heading to the hotel a day early for the board meeting. This is only the second time I have chosen to be on a board, so it will be interesting. I know that there are several hot topics amongst birth moms presently, and I imagine those subjects will come up for discussion.