It was early Saturday morning, around 4 o'clock when she entered the hospital.  Her water had burst and the pains were coming quickly.  The baby was a week early.  She was 23 years old and far away from her home state, Pennsylvania.  She had been studying at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.  She never thought that last summer's July 4th celebrations would lead to this day.  She was nearing the end of college with her whole life in front of her.... a career...  She wasn't ready for marriage or motherhood. 

Within 3 hours, her daughter was born at 6:55 a.m on March 18th, 1967.  The cry was slight at first but grew stronger.  She was a healthy baby girl.  Who was this baby?  Who was this mother?  The unwed mother had made a decision that forever that child's life.  The baby was given up for adoption. 

On Sunday, March 19, the Social Services Agent from the Children's Bureau of Indianapolis made a call to the adoptive parents.  They had waited a long time for a baby girl to complete their family.  The next morning, the Agent took the baby from the hospital and drove a little over an hour to deliver her to the new parents.... her new mother.  The child grew up always knowing she was adopted.  Knowing she was different from most other kids, different from her parents in looks and abilities, and most importantly, different inside... incomplete.

I am that child.  I never had a say in the events that shapped my life.  I don't know my heritage.  I know very little of my medical background.  I am completely in the dark.  An unwed mother decided to give up her child.  But she also decided to take the rest away from that child.  Adoption can be a wonder thing for many children, but it comes at a price.

This website is a tool to try and find out answers to these questions.