Tag Archives: burning

Healing A Broken Heart

It wasn’t all horrible from there, although it did get worse for awhile. Yes, I was very angry that my mother did not want contact with me. I was angry that she was trying to hide from giving me away. I was angry that she could turn her back a second time. However, positive things happened too. Over the course of the year that followed, I got to know my brother really well through several weekly letters in the mail, and a few weekly phone calls. We probably ran phone bills up frequently by spending hours on the phone. The … Continue reading →

A Dream Was Shattered

It wasn’t long after the contact with my sister that I began to really wonder where my birth mother’s heart was in all of this. I still hadn’t heard anything from her, no relatives said anything about how she felt, and I just didn’t keep asking. For awhile, I was content with the relationships I was building with my biological grandfather, biological uncle, and both my biological brother and sister. But eventually it did get to me. Eventually, it made it worse talking to them, because the more they talked, the more things I wanted to know about her. The … Continue reading →

The Search Notebook

The Search Notebook is probably one of the most essential items you will need during your whole search. It is the location you will write every detail of every process you undergo throughout your search. This notebook is best served as a 3-ring binder. It allows you to insert page protectors and looseleaf notebook paper for notes. The number one rule in any adoption search is to make copies of everything! It’s simple. If it pertains to your search, it needs to be recorded, or copied. I have a copy of every letter I’ve ever sent to anyone regarding my … Continue reading →

Sisters and Similarities

The story continues basically with my relationship with my brother developing into a pretty sturdy bond for awhile. It was only a few weeks down the road when I finally got my first contact with biological sister, Renee. She was only thirteen years old at the time we first had contact. She was living with foster parents, whom she seemed to adore, and whom I was rather fond of as well. It was wonderful getting to know her and essentially from a distance, watch her grow up. She sent me photographs the first time she sent me a letter. And … Continue reading →

Who’s On The Other End?

I still remember where I was when I received that phone call. I was standing in my kitchen preparing dinner for my now ex-husband and our baby. My husband answered the phone and after a moment of talking, handed me the phone. He had a strange look on his face, but I didn’t know why. I took the phone and said “Hello”. And this is what I heard. “Hi Nicole, this is Todd, your brother. My mother is Robin also. Uncle Ken* gave me your number.” It took my breath away. I thought I was going to drop the phone. … Continue reading →

The Adoptees Liberty Movement Association Society

Another really wonderful resource for adoptee’s in the Adoptee’s Liberty Movement Association (ALMA). They are also known as The ALMA Society and can be reached on their web page at The ALMA Society. The ALMA Society is a not for profit, tax-exempt corporation funded entirely by registration fees and donations which are tax-deductible. It might seem expensive at first, however they are the pioneer organization in fighting for the rights of adoptees everywhere. They are the oldest, most comprehensive and the absolute most successful reunion registry of its kind. And believe me, I’ve known a lot of adoptee’s and birth … Continue reading →

Great Books You Can’t Put Down

I don’t know how you are, but when I was in the middle of my search, I could not read enough. I wanted to hear everyone’s stories, both good and bad. Perhaps it was because I was trying to mentally prepare myself for whatever would come. I had the fortune to meet several “famous” adoptee’s and hear their stories, and was really excited when I found that some of them were already published. I’d love to share my story in a more detailed manner by publishing my own book some day but for now I am just as content reading. … Continue reading →

More Personal Records Checklist

There are still even more documents and records you can check for possible information on your adoption or leads on finding the person. Requesting the information is easy and the worst part is just the waiting game. Everything takes time and many of these agencies just their sweet time about everything. I found that being patient, however difficult it seemed to be, was the only way to get through all of the search. Several of these resources require you to have information about the person that you might not already have. Just be patient and remember it’s an avenue you … Continue reading →

Personal Records Checklist

When you are going through a search of any kind, no matter where you are in the triad (or even if you aren’t at all), there are certain documents you are going to wish you had in your possession. These records are easily obtained through the proper state agencies, and can usually be had for a small fee. Be sure and check out the following sources: Birth Certificate – Try to get original and/or amended birth certificate. Typically they will not release the original birth certificate to the adoptee, and they will not release the amended birth certificate to the … Continue reading →

The Photograph

That night I remember not being able to sleep at all. I tossed and turned and couldn’t get the thought out of my head that I was going to “see” her the next day. It was what I had been waiting for. Of course beyond that I was just trying to process all the information he had given to us. I was his granddaughter. There was no doubt about that. But he hadn’t seen my mother for all these years. Now what? The next morning as we drove out to Magnolia again, I couldn’t help but be nervous. Even though … Continue reading →