Featured Writing

Featured Writing is a curated collection of essays, reflections, poetry, and personal writing exploring identity, family separation, origin loss, hidden truths, genetic genealogy, unexpected DNA discoveries, and related lived experiences.

Each piece offers a unique perspective shaped by lived experience. Together, these writings invite reflection, deepen understanding, and foster connection through the power of storytelling.

  • After a DNA Surprise: 10 Things No One Wants to Hear

    by B.K. Jackson

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: DNA Surprise • NPE • Identity • Hidden Truths • Family Discovery • Belonging

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Reflections and Revelations

    by Kathleen Shea Kirstein

    Originally published in Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

    Topics: Adoption • Identity • Family Secrets • Self-Discovery • Records & Research • Reflection

    Read on Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

  • Two Names, One Infant

    By Kathleen Shea Kirstein

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Identity • LDA • Reflection • Self-Discovery • Truth

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Twenty Years

    by Kathleen Shea Kirstein

    Originally published in Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

    Topics: LDA • NPE • Identity • Healing • Belonging • Reflection

    Read on Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

  • Living in the (DNA) Shadows

    By Diane Turturro

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Donor Conception • Family Discovery • Identity • Reflection • Search • Truth

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Golden Hour Family

    by Eve Sturges

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: NPE • Family Discovery • Reunion • Belonging • Genetic Mirroring • Reflection

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Her Name is Sheva

    by Annette Becklund

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Identity • Family History • Ancestry • Genealogy • Hidden Truths • Belonging

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Explanation is Not Obligation

    by Dennis Clark

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Boundaries • Identity • Privacy • Family Relationships • Self-Advocacy • Reflection

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Even on the Island, They Were Still Waiting

    by Cindy McQuay

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Belonging • Origin Loss • Rejection • Identity • Reflection

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Letting Go and Moving Forward

    by Kathleen Kirstein

    Originally published in Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

    Topics: Acceptance • Healing • Identity • LDA • NPE • Reflection

    Read on Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

  • The Side Effect I Didn’t Expect

    by Eve Sturges

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Creativity • Healing • Identity • NPE • Reflection • Resilience

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Late Discovery Adoption: The Awareness of Its Impact on My Life Is Never-Ending

    by Kathleen Kirstein

    Originally published in Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

    Topics: Healing • Identity • LDA • NPE • Reflection • Trauma

    Read on Adoption Knowledge Affiliates

  • Maybe

    by B.K. Jackson

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Abandonment • Family Secrets • Identity • Reflection • Unanswered Questions • Unknown Origins

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Break Something

    by Karen Stinger

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Anger • Healing • Identity • Reflection • Reunion • Transformation

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Lies We Tell Ourselves

    by Kathleen Shea Kirstein

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Family Secrets • Identity • LDA • Reflection • Trust

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Dear Younger Self, Working Overtime at the Courthouse on a Saturday Afternoon

    by Danna Schmidt

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Identity • Records & Research • Reflection • Search • Self-Advocacy

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Animal Tale

    by Lorah Gerald

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Animals • Emotional Regulation • Healing • Reflection • Self-Soothing

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • There Was a Secret

    by Kathleen Shea Kirstein

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Family Secrets • Hidden Truths • Identity • Reflection • Truth • Unanswered Questions

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • The Stuff Love Can’t Fix

    by Liz DeBetta

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Healing • Identity • Love • Reflection • Trauma

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • In Search of Origin

    by Dr. Liz DeBetta

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Creativity • Healing • Identity • Reflection • Writing

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Blown Off Course

    by Kathleen Shea Kirstein

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Adoption • Healing • Identity • LDA • Reflection • Trauma

    Read on Severance Magazine

  • Love Letter to Fellow NPEs

    by Lezlee Lijenberg

    Originally published in Severance Magazine

    Topics: Belonging • Community • Healing • Identity • NPE • Support

    Read on Severance Magazine

Many of the featured pieces above were originally published by Severance Magazine and are shared to help connect readers with thoughtful, lived-experience writing. We encourage readers to explore and support their publication for additional essays, poetry, and community storytelling.

If you have written a reflection, essay, poem, or personal story you would like us to consider featuring through Hiraeth Hope & Healing, we welcome you to reach out by email.