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Please, go easy on me with your responses - I'm nervous after reading others! My heart can't take much more and I have nowhere else to turn.
For my story, I have to go farther back than the birth of my daughter. As a child, myself, I was sexually abused by my father. I never told anyone and suffered extreme trauma in silence. Finally, when I turned 18, I was free from the abusive relationship, but still unable to handle life in a mentally healthy way. When I was 19 years old, I was raped, resulting in pregnancy. This was such a jolt to my system; after being a victim for so long, I went into shock. I thought I was destined to live a life of pain – and truly believed that I had no future. I was suicidal. I never told anyone, or even acknowledged to myself that I was pregnant until I was in labor.
In labor, my mother: first, threatened to tell my father and second, called an adoption agency – note again, I was in labor. I seriously feared for myself and my child. The adoption was arranged by my mother. My baby was removed from my arms immediately. I’ve been in intensive therapy since then, and am now a successful, independent woman living a healthy life. I always wanted my daughter, but I did not have any support or strength of my own.
A few weeks ago, my mother told me that she had actually met my daughter – behind my back. I had always wanted to meet my daughter! Heartbreaking, I know. I couldn’t stand it, I contacted the adoptive parents; requesting to meet my daughter and strongly stating that I am to be contacted with regards to my child, not my mother. I met her – she is perfect. I thought that the hard part was going to be me. Me, knowing that I’ve always wanted her and regretting that I was unstable and manipulated into having my child stripped from me. To my surprise, she loved me as much as I loved her. Our bond is undeniable – she studied me, held close to me, wanted to know everything about me, and cried begging me not to go.
Help! What do I do? Of course, I want my daughter. I always have and always will. I am conflicted. This situation is incredibly complex and fragile, and I want to make the right choice. Do I have any rights? If she wants to be with me, will that help my potential case?
How old is your daughter? I don't think reunion is fragile as it is a one time event. The relationship that follows is only as fragile as the people involved. I would like to answer your question on if you have the right. Of course you do! What makes you think that you don't? You want a relationship and it sounds like your daughter does so what is your concern regarding your rights?
However if your daughter is under the legal age then you have no legal right as her aparents have all parental rights.That doesn't mean you have the forgo the right to love each other.
If she is 18 or over then your relationship with each other is how you define it. No one else can do this except both of you. If you let others influence you then that is IMHO a weakness that may keep you apart.
Just remember and I will preach this until the day I die...... Relationships work because people try to love one another. If both people are willing then it will all work out. Just keep engaged and keep your self respect. The rest will fall in to place.
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It's so good to hear about her reaction to you...go with it!!! I really wish this was my story- maybe someday it will be. It sounds like she's open to meeting you and this could be the relationship you've always wanted to have with her.
I'm not sure why your mother did what she did...very sad. Maybe she's felt her own regret and that's why she met her "behind your back."
It sounds like it will be a great reunion story - please keep us posted.
You have the right to be honest with your daughter and I hope all goes well for both of you. You've had a tough life and deserve to be happy.