LIBERTY TWP. — Dolores Mize had never considered herself a writer, but after having her fourth child nine years ago, she felt compelled to put some of her thoughts in a journal.
“I am just so grateful to be a mother,” she said. “I relish and embrace children because I think they are a reflection of God. When a child is born, you feel the miracle of it.”
After a while, she felt like she had a book that would celebrate motherhood and the joys of giving birth, but she wasn’t sure what to do with it.
A friend introduced her to Milford area photographer Angela Talentino, owner of Essenza Studio, who made a specialty of taking candid portraits of children.
Using friends and clients and a few referrals, Talentino provided a series of black-and-white photos of 10 families for “I Know I am Loved,” a keepsake book published two years ago by Life Cycle Books of Toronto.
“Within a couple of weeks of it being out, I started being contacted by people who were the parents of adopted children who said they would like a similar book focused on the joy of adoption,” Mize said.
So Mize and Talentino started working on the follow-up with the blessing of the publisher.
As it turns out, one of Mize’s brothers adopted a child from Guatemala, so that provided a starting place to find families for the photos.
“Anyone who has adopted a child from overseas will have encountered many others who have done the same thing,” Mize said.
The result is “Embraced by Love,” featuring area families who have adopted children from all over the world.
In addition to the photos and Mize’s inspirational text, there are pages in the back for adoptive parents to journal, add photos or document their child’s personal story of adoption.
Both books are available at Reichley Hallmark on Liberty-Fairfield Road, at all area Family Christian Store outlets, and online at Amazon.com.
For more information or to contact the author, visit iknowiamloved.com.
