I am a 54 year old mom, nana, amazing baker, ok dart player and most importantly I am searching for world peace...(opps that is another conversation), simply put not too much that differentiates me from any divorce (3 times) single mom with 2 adult children.
I grew up in a family that encouraged you to figure out who you wanted to be when you grew up but never judged your choices...well not so much. There were 3 of us kids adopted t the McCuaig family. And I must say it was gift we never knew we were being given.
My parents always told us we were adopted and we always knew we were loved. Although growing up adopted caused me to feel different somehow, not knowing where my roots were, unwanted by the most critical person in my life (my birth mom). Then I found her and what a wonderful day that was. I was 27 my 2nd baby was 6 months old. My life seemed to be moving along a wonderful path, a happy path. Married with 2 children, working in childcare and feeling empty like some part of me wasn't quite there. I remember describing to people I would look in the mirror and wonder who I was, where I had come from, why was I given away. But that day I made the call and when she called back, my mom, we talked for hours. My life, her life, we didn't get the why in any detail that first call but later when we met I understood.
As a young mom who had gotten pregnant very young (21) and was able to keep my beautiful daughter and raise her. With the support of good friends, family and the extended community surrounding us with love, I could better understand the position my birth mom had been in in 1961 when society wasn't so understanding, It does take a village to raise a child and she would never have had that if she had chosen to do that on her own in Belleville. I'm sure she felt she had no other choice and I believe she felt she was making the right decision. And in hindsight I think she did.
I have had the distinct honour of growing up amoungst 2 incredible families. One that chose me and the other that gave me to them.
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| My adopted dad, sister, Chris and Brother, Donald. All the kids we could bring together. 2013. |
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| Birth Siblings Brad and Andrea |
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| celebrating my 50th with birth family |
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| nieces, nephews and my beautiful children at adopted dad's funeral 2014. Zachary and Melissa (last 2 of right side) |
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| Birth grandma and grandma at Zachary's Wedding 2015. |
I will continue the story another day. I hope you have enjoyed the first instalment and the photos of 2 families that became one!
