Mid-West Adoptee

After my adopted mother had five or six miscarriages, her and my adoptive father decided that if they were to have any children they would need to adopt.

I had spent the first ten months of my new life in a foster home. These great would be parents were out window shopping for their son. When they found me, they were told that I had a mind of my own. But they didn't care. I was to be their new son. In fact, I was so good that four years latter they adopted a little girl as my sister. Wow!!! From a foster home to a real family life in four years.

Growing up in the mid-west was great. My new parents weren't perfect and neither was I. They did however tell me that I was adopted at a young age. They gave me more as I grew up. I always wondered why my biological parents, who were married and had six other children would give me up.

Well, fifty years have passed since that time. My adopted dad is deceased. I miss him. Mom's in her mid 80's now. It sure was great having them as parents. Living the mid-west with them as parents was great.

But like I mentioned, fifty years have gone by. Ten years worth of searches scattered amongst the last twenty-five years. Jobs. A few saved dollars, and e-mail story received from another adoptee who found their bio-parents. Where were mine.

After all this searching, time and a few paid out dollars they were found. Dad died in 1972. I was in the army then and overseas. Mom, she died on her 65th birthday during heart surgery, 1980. Where she lived in 1980 is now one block from where my adopted mother lives. Small world.

As for the other siblings that were mentioned, they do to exist. Four sisters and two brothers. They told me their stories of growing up. Lack of this, want of that. Family members having to stay with other families because of hard times. But when they said this there was one item never lacking they said. Their parents always LOVED them.

I've gotten to know these great six people over the last year along with forty-three additional nieces and nephews. I've learned about "mom" and "dad". They met my adopted mom, showered her with flowers, cards and thanks for the great job she did on raising me. She has now be come part of their lives. Not that she is their mother, but concerns and feelings that they have for her and she for them. Ahhh!! those great mid-west feelings.

Is there something missing? Oh yes. Remember by adopted sister? She too has found her bio-mom and three half sisters. But in her life there was rain. She had to given up a daughter for adoption. Twenty-six years latter she too has been reunited. Again....AHH!!! It's good to be in the mid-west.

Thanks mom. Thanks Dad.

A Satisfied Mid-westerner
Paul Behmke
RSTLS52@earthlink.net