When I was 7-10 years old, my step father required my mother to give up a child she conceived by my biological father. This happened in Washington, Soap Lake. The adoption took place at birth. I am not sure about placement, only that the agency was in Spokane.

I was not allowed to ask questions, or know of him. In later years, a biological paternal aunt told me that she knew of it. We both were saddened by losing him. Though the years, I have wondered, to no avail. Then a few years ago, he tried to contact my parents. He had gotten their phone number. My stepfather answered the phone and turned him away. So sad...

Now he is gone. Mom is frail and fragile. She can't recall his birthdate, or the adoption agency's name. At 51, I still would love to see and meet this brother of mine that would have been born in 1958-1960. At 10 years old, it didn't mean much, but I know we lived in Washington for 3 years. The last year, my youngest sister was born.

To those that are adopting and requiring closed adoptions, please remember that there are others that may love and want their family intact someday. To those adopted, looking for birth families, siblings want to find you too. Sometimes a parent is what prevents you from finding us, probably not your biological father.

I hope my brother will read this and wonder. If not, I hope this helps someone else that has had a painful experience in trying to contact their birth family.

FYI...my brother would be Irish...probably blue eyes. Could have brown hair or red, with lots of freckles. He would have been conceived in NY, and his older sister would be a nurse. He would be an uncle 4 times - 3 girls, 1 boy - great uncle 5 times. There is a sister; her children are included here.

I hope your family has been blessed, full of love and happiness.