Well, you're here because you've read some or all of "Reconstructing Stephen", my autobiography and adoption story.  If you haven't, you can find synopses and sample chapters at www.reconstructingstephen.co.uk .

I've been prompted to write this blog as an accompanyment to the book as a way of continuing the story.  The book afterall is but a snapshot of my entire adoption "saga".  Also it's a way of providing a forum for comment and debate.  So, I've commited myself to writing an article here at least once a week, usually on some realted adoption or personal subject, but maybe not always.  I hope you will take the opportunty to contribute too.

I'll start first by cellebrating a pivitol event.  I've been in counselling for over 4 years now.  Writing the book was a major part of that therapy - a cathartic experience designed to exorcise some of my demons.  I'd always planned that at the end of that process, when the book was nearing publication, I would seek some closure.

This came in the form of a family ceromony on Saturday where we opened some champagne, soaked the first proof copy of Reconstructing Stephen in BBQ lighter fuel and ignited it.  As it burnt and I looked into the flames I could see the ashes forming.  Strangely the words were still visible until a breeze or dudicious prodding by me with a BBQ fork rendered them to powder.

They are still there sitting in the metal brazier, though I can't see any words anymore.