TRIADOPTION ® Library, Inc. - CA ~ Pg 369-480

.I
Finally, someone answered my call- later I
learned that i t was my uncle Al - and then
my mother came to the phone. I introduced
myself and asked her if the name Clara Sue
Lindsey meant anything to her. I heard her
voice quivering, then a sob, finally "yes"
and then "Oh my God, it's my baby!" After
the initial shock subsided for both of US,
we tal ked for over two hours. Everything
just flowed out of me and a11 the answers
that I had wanted for so long were given
.---- ---
4
does not pertain to oneself. In most cases,
the adoptee has no rights - rights that are
too often taken for granted by those who
have them. There is no need for anyone to
be deprived of knowing the truth or having
to feel incomplete.
My search is over. My questions are
answered. My void is filled. I am complete!
.I sincerely hope that others will do as I
,did, if the need is there within. I wish
them a1 l happy endings to all the years of
to me! suffering. Or should I say "Happy Beginnings!"
Within the weeks that fo1 lowed, there
were many phone calls and much letter
writing. We sent one another pictures - I, d \
of myself in various stages of my life,
along with pictures of my children and
husband - She sent me pictures of herself,
my half sister and half brother (having
been an only child, I f elt doubly blessed),
my aunts , uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
The resemblances were incredible!
Within a month, my husband and I flew
down to the state I was born in and met my
new found family. The reunion that we shared
was tremendous. Everyone that I met was
loving and happy. My sister and I became
especi a1 ly close to one another almost
immediately! I was home and felt complete
for the first time in my life!
As I look back over the past year, I have
much to be thankful for. I have visited with
my natural maternal fanlily five times. I
loved each visit and look forward to the
next. I also located my natural father and
hi s fami 1y. We have exhanged photographs
and letters over the past few months and
a1 though the responses have been warm,
have no need to meed him. My adoptive
parents - my real parents, since that's
exactly what they are! - are happy for me,
a1 though somewhat confused by this strong
need within me. I find that I must reassure
I
them that I never was seeking substitutes for
them, just needing to look like someone and
to know that I would be accepted by the
family that originally rejected me.
I have been working with other adoptees
1 ike myse1 f. For so long, too longs, I
convinced myself that my feel ings pertaining
to my adoption were unnatural. I have since
learned that this is not so. There are so
Inany people - adoptees, as we11 as natural
parents - who think and fee1 as I do. Society
1
Iias taught us that we should not open a
Pandoras box; that we should leave well
enough a1 one. This is easy to say when it
1
13
I
I
I