How would you respond if you had a gnawing desire to find the answer to the question of what is missing in your life, but you weren’t sure you would like the answer? Jane Smith grew up knowing she was adopted and had a wonderful childhood, but there was always something missing for her. She wanted to learn more about her biological family.
“I always wondered if there was a lady out there thinking of me as much as I was thinking about her,” Jane told the Panama City News Herald.
Jane was adopted an as infant and was one of three adopted siblings in her family. She had a wonderful and loving childhood, but there was always something lingering in her mind about her biological past.
In her 20s, Jane wrote a letter to the hospital where she was born and placed for adoption, but the records were closed. However, earlier this year, Jane researched her genealogy online and was able to find her original birth certificate. She found out her original name and a description of her mother and father; however, their names were not listed.
Jane hired a genealogy expert, who used this information to first track down a second cousin and then a half-sister. Jane was then able to obtain information about her biological mother through these and other family members. She found out that it was a very hard decision for her biological mother to place her for adoption. Her mother had a child at 16 years of age and then at 18 could not raise another child.
An adopted child may feel grief over the loss of the relationships with their biological family. They may also not have access to genetic medical information that could be vital later on in their life. As a child grows, they may start thinking about certain questions, such as what their birth parents look like and act like, and the big question of why they were placed for adoption.
Jane is looking forward to meeting her half-sister in person next month at the visit they have scheduled. Jane stated, “My life has come full circle.”
