Birth Mother,

I have searched for you for over thirty-five years. Never with anger, only with the unending hope that somewhere out there, one day I'll find you. I would welcome you into my heart, and a special place in my life. I look at the people I meet on the street, in a store, in a restaurant, on TV, at church, anytime I am out in the public. I mostly look at their eyes. Mine are a unusual shade of blue. I have never really seen anyone with my color of blue. I always hoped they were like my Fathers eyes.

Times were very different when I was born in 1940. When a young lady found herself "in trouble" the family tried to hide things. She was either sent to stay with family as far away from home as possible, or a maternity home. She had no say as to her baby 98% of the time. Keeping the child was out of the question. Sometimes family in another city or state would adopt the baby. Most were not told who or where baby went. But the one thing their parents could never do was take away the love that mother had for her baby. She remembered on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and her baby's birthday, especially on Mother's Day.

On Sept. 14, 1940 a baby girl was left at the Salvation Army Home on S. Elm St. in Greensboro,N.C. It was a Saturday afternoon. A lady with a bundle in her arms and a small case in her hand carried both into the old Guilford Bank building {part of S.A.property}, placed the baby on a landing with the case in front to keep the baby from moving. It had to be a woman as you never saw a man caring babies in those days. I think, a sister, cousin, grandmother, or aunt.

Here is what was left with me: a case of quality clothing, handmade items, two bottles of milk, one still WARM. Also, a rubber sheet with soiled items, cake of baby soap, and a bottle of Olive Oil. A birth note, neatly printed on a scrap of paper bag, named her "Judy, dob 8/22/1940."

I was three weeks old and weighed 8 lbs. A blue-eyed blonde girl. On Monday morning, I was turned over to Childrens Home Society of N.C. in Greensboro. A story on the back page of News and Record went out to all. My parents saw it in Sunday's paper. Mother and a friend went to C.H.S early on Monday morn to see if her and Daddy could adopt me. They were already approved for a child as one became available. I went home with her late that same day. That was the second beginning for me.

Somewhere, someone, knows who I was and still am. Just a different name. Please, I only have caring, lots of hugs, long hours of talking, honor, and respect. I think the one thing I would like most of all would be yours arms around your daughter again. I love you, Mom.

My email: heavenschild@rtelco.net

- Judy/Diane

© 2002