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A year ago, I found my adopted sister, who will be 50 this year. She is 10 months older than me and was the 5th child of my mother & father (I was #6). When my mother was pregnant with her, she & Daddy had little more than with 4 small children. Serious financial problems plaqued them and she felt she couldn't care for the kids she had, and her baby deserved more. She found through a friend someone who wanted a child and could provide everything for her, so she made the sacrifice. Soon after, she & Daddy realized that the pain was too great and decided to have another child (I guess I was a "make-up baby") and I was concieved within a month of Mom "losing" my sister.
This adoption was never discussed while I was growing up, but when I was pregnant with my first child, my oldest sister told me that she thought Mom had lost a child because she had remembered that Mom was pregnant and went to the hospital and returned with no baby and was very sad (from the eyes & heart of a 5 year old). I asked my mother about it, and she told me the truth. She said it was a very difficult time in their lives and she was ashamed that she couldn't care for a child they created. She also asked me not to mention it to my father because of his pride. After my father passed away, four years ago, my sister and I asked my mother if we could start looking for our other sister. Mom said that would be wonderful, because she would like to make sure she had a "better" life.
Armed with little information, my sister, Becky, and I searched & searched, but found nothing. Soon, Becky became ill with cancer and the searching reached a standstill. After we lost my sweet Becky, I continued the search, as much for myself & my mom as for my Becky. Well, Thanksgiving last year was indeed "Thanksgiving", I found her. We compared notes and were reasonably sure, until we met...there was no need for DNA testing!! She looks so much like my oldest sister, it's scary. We are definitely sisters!! The most remarkable thing is that her adoptive parents named her...you guessed it, Becky. She has truly been an angel to me. What a blessing! My mother has met her, as have my 3 other siblings, but Becky and I share a bond that is unexplainable...and remarkable. I love her with all my heart and feel that we have known each other forever. We are in constant communication and see each other as often as possible, in spite of the miles between us.
I guess my problem is that I worry about her emotionally. She seems to be handling everything wonderfully, except talking to her adoptive mother. She mentioned me to her when we first were in contact, and was met with anger and fear. Her adoptive mother told the 49year old daughter that she was not allowed to have anything to do with "that woman" and I had no right to contact her. (She wasn't aware that Becky has contacted me, too). AMother told her not to talk to her father about it because it would hurt him too badly. I know that this is extremely hurtful to Becky, although I try not to pressure her about this. She invited me to her daughter's college graduation & party afterward. I went and AMOM was there. I was introduced as a "friend", but I suspect Becky's plan is to let her mother see I am a nice person, the reveal my true identity later and show that I am not the evil child-stealing woman she thinks I am.
I guess this long explanation is to find out what emotions Becky is going through and to find out if anyone can suggest ways I can help her deal with this. We've discussed the fact that she is lying to her mother, but she feels that is better than hurting her. It bothers me that I was thrown in her face. (We do resemble each other a lot, so AMOM may already suspect) But it bothers me more that Becky has lied to her mom.
What can I do to help her? What is she feeling?
My story is similar to yours-except I am older then my sister that was adopted...
I have met my sisters mom. She is "nice" enough, but there is no doubt it is strained to say the least. My sis and i have been united for nearly four years... and I know mt sister feels so very torn at times.It hurts me so --to know my finding her has caused so much pain to people that love her so. I have thought of quietly drifting away--outta the picture to ease the pull on my sister--I have even mentioned this to her--and she says NO--it isnt your fault--it isnt anyones fault--Yes she hurts over it--but she knows it is life--
I cant honestly say I understnad how I a sibling can be so threatening--I ahve asked so many adoptive moms--but all that I know WANT their children to know their whole selves...so they really cant explain--and since i am so close with my family--and my husbands family--I cant comprehend how someone else to love could be threatening..
I can pretty much assure you that eventually it works itself out-you sister will know how to work you all into her life--w/o causing pain to anyone--It sometimes get interesting and even funny to see how it works--smile--
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Thanks for your response. Isn't it wonderful how much better we can feel when we know others are feeling the same way.
I appreciate your advice. I do enjoy my sister, VERY MUCH, but, like you, have felt like I should back off, but, like your sister, she says, "NO". I hope your relationship continues to get stronger. I know that my sister and I will always be close..even though it's only been a little over a year. She and I just share a bond that inexplicable.
Thanks again!!
:)
Vickie.... I am so glad that you have your sister and I pray that you guys have a looooong and happy life together. I am b-mom to a 31y.o. daughter who was the 2nd dtr. I had 1 year after keeping the first. My girls *met* last summer and the sisterly bond is great. Her a-mom has also been impossible to deal with and when my daughter comes over and she discovers it she becomes a beast to my 8 year old granddaughter. She acts as if I can somehow erase her from my daughters life or even that I'd want to. My gr.daughter has to lie after she visits and she must leave anything that we buy her here. I just posted to say give it time and let your sister call the shots since she knows this situation better. I know its hurting to be put on the secret list but don't let it destroy or even interfere with what you have. Best Wishes.....Missy
I am an adoptive mother. I do not understand how an adoptive mom can feel threaten by siblings. I was never able to have children. However my daughters birthmother had two girls before my daughter was born and then a boy and a girl after my daughter. So, my daughter has 3 sisters and 1 bother. I have always made it a point to allow my daughter to have a relationship with her siblings. Her Bmom is not in the best financial position so I lose track of her sometimes, but I always manage to find her. I have had several conversations with her Bmom requesting that she always keep in touch with me for the sake of not only my daughter but her siblings as well. They love to see each other and my daughters two older sister come and spend the night with us sometimes. My daughters get very sad when we can't find them and I can not imagine how hard it would be for her if she could not have contact with them. She loves them and they make her complete. She knows that my husband and I love her and nothing could ever change that. And even though I sometimes have insecurities, I quickly have to put them aside of my daughter sake because I love her so much, that I just want her to be happy and never feel guilty about how she feels for her birth family. She does not know her Bdad because we don't know him either. Maybe one day she will ask about him and we will help her find him. I wanted to post this and to let you know that not all-adoptive parents are selfish.
Irma
:)
From a birthsibling--I want to thank you for your selflessness--I thank God everyday that my sister and I are united--adn I try hard to know that life was the way it was meant to be---but sometimes I feel SOOO cheated that I wasnt allowed to ahve anyhting to do with my siste for 25 years.. So I wanted to thank you for being such an awsome person!!! and a great mom
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