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Topic: End (02/13/06)
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TITLE: Strangers No More | Previous Challenge Entry
By Joyce Sykes
02/16/06 -
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Tangled thoughts jumped back at me as soon as the alarm jarred me awake the next morning. The date! I could not get the date out of my mind. December 17th, 1970 was the entry information on the screen. Only three days different than what I entered the night before. My mind continued to wander back to the database through out my morning devotions and routine.
As I brushed my teeth, my thoughts were on the possibility that the date had been changed. North Carolina allowed birthdates to be changed in these situations. Suddenly my mind reeled and my heart raced. The date was not wrong! I had inadvertently used my son’s birth date. The month, day and year were correct on the adoption database. Shocked beyond belief, I just stood staring in the bathroom mirror at my crying reflection for several long moments. Was it possible that the end of this nightmare was almost over?
Yet even as I finished dressing, my thoughts continued with questions that at the moment I had no answer. I knew I was the only girl who gave birth from the maternity home that day. But was there another maternity home in the town? Or maybe even two hospitals. I could not and would not raise my hopes. Trying to regain my composure quickly, I left for work feeling dazed a few minutes later
All day, old memories flooded my mind. Memories of the boy who said he loved me, but whom quickly disappeared after he got what he wanted. Recollections of overwhelming panic as I discovered I was pregnant and unwed at fifteen with no where to turn.
Within months, my step-mother guessed my dilemma and had me declared incorrigible and made a ward of the state. Days after my sixteenth birthday, I was on my way to a home for ‘girls like me.’ Several months later, days before Christmas, I gave birth to that precious innocent life and watched a social worker carry her out of my life just three days later. There seemed to be no other choice other than adoption. I could not provide both mother and father, or even a place to call home. This blameless babe deserved far better than that.
Now thirty-four years later, could this journey be coming to an end? After work, I sent a cautious but questioning e-mail; not wanting to give this young woman false hopes either. The next 24 hours were painfully long. The return email was equally questioning and cautious. Over the next four days queries and replies from both parties flew furiously across the internet. Then Friday, the email came that would change my life.
“All your answers fit the non-identifying information provided by Social Services. I guess what I am trying to say is: YOU ARE MY BIRTH MOTHER!!”
Our first talk came that same evening. Unbelievably her first words after our initial hello blessed me beyond belief.
“Thank you for loving me enough to give me up. I have been blessed with a wonderful life raised by loving Christian parents!”
Years of inner turmoil, countless tears, and constant heartfelt prayers suddenly melted into gratefulness with the knowledge of His faithfulness, even when the answers aren’t easily seen. The Lord had watched over and protected her through out the years of our separation.
We quickly realized many miraculous events had taken place within just a few short days. My precious infant, now a grown woman, registered with the only adoption web site I ever checked. She had registered on March 3rd. I discovered the information on the web-site, March 7th and spoke just days later.
Within two short weeks, we had found each other and for the first time since my little one was three days old, I was able to hold her in my arms. As we embraced during our first meeting, strangers and yet not strangers, my heart rejoiced. One chapter had ended and now a new chapter would begin. Indeed, my Lord was able to do all things well in His perfect timing.
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Joyce