Letter to My Biological Mother {Adoption}

It's been 41 years since the first and last time that we set eyes on each other. I don't remember anything about that event. I'm sure you do.

Every year, on the day of my birth, I think about you... about being adopted.

All day.

Happy National Adoption Day Hop! November 17, 2012

Everyone has a story to tell and Journeys of The Zoo has shared a few about adoption.

Recently, I connected with Britt from Yellow Umbrella because my friend is raising money for adoption and she wanted to help.

We got to talking and it turns out that we're both adopted and guess what...

Today is National Adoption Day!

In honour of that, we decided to host a blog hop that would allow others to share their experiences and know that they are not alone. Some of them may have happy endings and others not. Please take the time to visit the blogs listed in the linky at the bottom of this post and show them your support.

My story for today is about Acceptance.

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My parents were given 48-hours notice that I would be coming home.

As first-time parents, to say that they were not prepared would be an understatement. Did I mention that they were told on a Friday evening and those were the days when you couldn't shop on Sunday's.

Once I'd arrived, they called My Nanna and Grandad (Nanna's parents) to tell them the good news and invite them over for my first visit.

My parents couldn't contain their excitement. Surely my grandparents were as happy as them, right?

While they knew about my parents application for adoption, My Nanna was surprized that she'd been given so little notice. In not so many words, she wasn't ready for me yet. The jury is still out on whether she ever would have been ready.

Then, there was a mutiny of sorts.

National Adoption Day is November 17. Link up and Share your Story.

I am Adopted.

I make no secret about it.

In fact, I've blogged about it before for Random Fact Friday and provided a Glimpse into the Life of Being Adopted.



Since sharing excerpts of my story, I have received messages from supporters; adoptees, adopteers and everyone inbetween. Many wanting to share their story with me or learn more about mine.

In turn, in honour of "National Adoption Day" on November 17 (in the USA, Canada celebrates the entire month), Yellow Umbrella (who incidently is also adopted) and I are hosting a blog hop in honour of this special day.

Want to Share Your Story?

Note that "your story" might be about a child, friend, brother, sister that is adopted. It does not have to be YOU that was.

A Glimpse into the Life of Being Adopted.

A while back, I mentioned that I was adopted. I thought that I'd pretty much covered everything in 231 words, and I did... for me.

But then I realized, perhaps other people, adopted or not might have questions. So, I'm back (and still adopted) to try and answer some of your questions (which, I don't actually know what they are because you never told me).

Let me start out by saying (again) that my story is a happy one.

A success story.

I knew that I was adopted from the moment that I could know. It was never a secret. In fact, the opposite. There are probably more people who know that I'm adopted then don't.

For those not adopted, there is no question that your physical and character traits are a mixture of; your parents (for me that would be my adopted parents, herein referred to as "parents"), biological parents and some that are just you. For me, I don't know about the last two. What's me and what's them?

I wonder.

Obviously I'm not biologically related to my Mother and Brother but we share physical characteristics such as; fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. We look like family and many people don't believe that we aren't biologically related. And, with respect to my character, I am my Mother's daughter.

I had always thought that I was 90% Nurture and 10% Nature.

But then I had kids and now I'm not so sure. I see so much of Ed and I in them. Note that I know my kids are their "own people" and not just replicas of Ed and I. Maybe I'm more like my biological parents then I realized, maybe not. Regardless, I'm fine with it either way.

They are a part of my story.

Growing up, I remember frequently reading a book series called "The Adopted Family" which incidentally has found it's way into the kids bookshelf (Thanks for being a pack rat Nanna). I had two sets of parents that loved me. The other poor kids only had one set (smile).

I was special and knew it!

No one else in my class was adopted but that didn't matter. I never got teased. If I did, I don't remember. That was the 70's and while it wasn't the 50's, kids were still cruel and less open. Maybe I got off easy?

I remember a classmate, Jenny finding out at 12 (?) that she was adopted. It didn't go over well with her or the others. She was teased and ended up leaving the school shortly thereafter. I remember hearing stories about her years on and wondering if the secret of her adoption was the cause of any of her ill-fated choices.

I am so grateful that adoption was never a secret in my house.

Every year, usually about half-way through the day of my birth, I think about my Biological Parents.

I have no doubt that they are thinking about me. Perhaps they wonder what I look like (as I do them). Wonder if they made the right decision. Regret their decision. I hope not.

I am happy.

Over the years, I've thought a lot about finding my biological parents. My parents are 110% supportive. I know that Nanna would really like to meet them. I've started the process to find them several times but left it at that.

It's been about seven years since the last time. I figure that it will happen when the time is right. Note that I am well aware that you can't win a lottery without buying tickets and that if I want to find my biological parents I will have to do something. Some day.

To this day, Nanna tells me how lucky she is to have me and that she couldn't have made a cuter baby herself. How right she is!

If I had to sum up my feelings on being adopted, I'd say...

No Big Deal.

Feel free to comment with any questions you have. I have no problem talking about being adopted.

Note that Uncle Andrew and I are not biologically related.

Besos, The Zoo

I Was Adopted as an Infant {Random Fact}

As I alluded to in my last post, I am adopted.

I was given up for adoption at the ripe old age of birth (and you know all about that).

According to my paperwork, my biological parents were in their late 20's. Both had been married (my biological father, was separated). They fell madly in love. While I can't say for sure that I was planned, they were definitely excited that I was on my way.

Things didn't work out like they expected.

For whatever reason, they both decided to put me up for adoption. Based on notes provided by the "Children's Aid Society of Ontario", it appears that I look like and have a lot of characteristics of my biological father. He was a real looker...

For the first five months of my life, I was placed with a foster family that had five kids of their own. Party. They documented my first smile, roll over, fever, you name it and put all this information in my file. I know that my parents appreciate having that piece of my history.

When I finally arrived in my forever home, the one that was made just for me, my parents were overjoyed.

Double win!

I have never tried to find my biological parents although I've always said that I would. I do not know their name or any identifying details. My parents would be 105% supportive if I chose to do this. We'll see...

I have known that I was "special" from the moment I could remember. It's not everyone that has two mothers and two fathers that love them.

Note 1: Ironicially, Ed is also adopted. I like to tell people that we met at an "Adoption Conference". Not true.

Note 2: My brother is also adopted. We are not biologically related. Although you wouldn't know it. More on that next week when I write about...

"How I Sold my Brother for 25 Cents".

TweetShare This Story of Adoption.

Have any questions? Feel free to post them in the comments section or send me an email (journeysofthezoo at hotmail dot com).

Get Caught up in the Series, it's Addictive!

8. I Tore my Knee Cartilage Highjumping,
7. I got a Migraine to Avoid Ballet,
6. I Cut off all my Hair and gave it to Barbie,
5. I Got Kicked out of Brownies,
4. I Pooped My Pants,
3. I Almost Sold my Brother for 25 Cents,
2. I Was Adopted,
1. I Was Born.

Besos, The Zoo