It�s time we stop these thoughts of going down through the streets of life wondering if that person that we just passed is a brother, a stister, or even your mother and father. They need to become aware of the loneliness that we feel each and every day of our lives because we don�t know who we really are.
Some believe that the strongest bond in life is the one that a mother feels for her child, does�nt that apply to a child for his or mother also? It was taken from us as children for whatever reasons, but the bond is still there. Those of you who�ve never had that taken from you, "treasure it!!"
Our�s is not a search for a rich relative in hopes of the easy way out, nor do we look for a different life to live. Our "pot of gold" in life is our heritage, our family tree. Not the family tree that the state has given us, the one that we�re insisted upon believing is the "only" one we have becuase of the laws of this country.
We�re not searching out of hate for what has happened. That is the past and I believe that the majority of us don�t care. We�re not giving up the families that took us in as children, we admire them for thier love and unselfishness that they�ve shown us over the years. We just want what they have never been able to provide, we want to fill the hole that left in our lives and in our hearts when we watched our brothers and sisters being taken out of our lives, as were our parents for whatever reason. We want our heritages back, we want what every person on this planet has the right to, " the right to know ".
In this day of age, we know when a politician is sleeping with someone other than his wife, we know when an actor or actress is on drugs or doing something out of the ordinary. It�s supposed to be an age of information as everyone is saying. But we go through life with what society believes is our dark little secrets, and aren�t allowed this information that we seek, which to me is less damaging than the knowledge of the leaders of this country not setting a good moral example to the nation.
Why do they feel that they need to look out for our best interests? Are�nt we old enough to look out for them ourselves? Should�nt we have the same rights as they do when it comes to family?
Why does it sound so double standard when a politician runnig for office says in his campaign speech,"the family legacy is the strength of this country". How is our legacy the strength of this country when we�re being denied any knowledge of it? What are we to tell our children when they sit upon our knees and ask, "daddy, what was Grandpa and Grandma like? Where did they come from? Who did I get my brown hair from? And so on." We can�t really answer these questions, can we? All we get to say is, "I�m sorry honey, but I don�t know, I was taken from my family when I was young". Then as all children ask, "why?"
It�s time to change these double standards, these beliefs of the people that in no way could possibly undersatand how we feel. Of these people I ask you this, Suppose one morning you wake up and your family is no longer there, you have no proof that they ever were except in your heart. You know you had parents and maybe even a brother or sister, you know you did! You also know that there are places that have this information but when asked, they tell you, " we can�t let you have that information because it�s in your best interests". You�re now told that you have to go through life with this hole in it, this emptiness and these unanswered questions. Sit and ponder this for awhile.
Do you think that we were too young to know? Does your baby girl at the age of 1 know when you�ve taken her favorite Teddy bear away from her and given her another stuffed animal? Does she sleep well that night? We knew and we still remember in our hearts just like she knows.
This is not a letter of hate, nor is it thoughts of anger. It�s meant to be an awakening to those who do not know what it�s like going through life with what society calls our "dark secret". I hope in after reading this, that some will support our efforts in trying to change these laws that deny us the "Right to know", we are people with families too, aren�t we. And for those of you like me, or the parents of these children that you had to give up for whatever reason, if it wouldn�t disrupt your lives, please register with a search agency because we are looking. Sincerly; Andrew Risso/Galden [email protected].
I don't know if Cathy wrote you about this or not but I sure am. Cathy put a notice in your registry awhile back. Since I'm a volunteer searcher in VA I decided to write her to see if she needed any help. That was on April 8th. Cathy called me on April 11th (friday night). On Saturday April 12th I drove to the state library and did some research for her and others. The very first city directory I pick up had her birth mothers name listed. :-)
I had NO idea which city directory to check but knew it was a small rural town in VA. BLACKSTONE, VA was a HIT. By 3:00pm the next day (Sunday) my husband and I had found Cathys sister. And to think my husband actually knows this entire family. Sadly though her bmom had passed away in 1972. So hubby and I went to talk to sister in person. We slowly asked her some questions about her and her mothers past. Then all of a sudden she yelled out "my sister, my sister". Well - I got shivers then. She DID know about Cathy. And too was wanting to find her.
Last night I witnessed their reunion. BEAUTIFUL! Cathy flew to VA to meet her family. She'll be here for about a week. And it's packed with all kinds of family, pictures, places and alot of history.
I want to personally thank you David for this registry. Without it, Cathy wouldn't be here meeting her family AND ME :-).
Keep the registry going David - it's wonderful.
I'm not sure if you remember me...we talked on the phone about a year ago. Wendy and I are born within several weeks of one another. You were able to send me several names from your database. One turned out to be the name of my birth mother. At the time, I only had her maiden name. I searched for several months via internet. I was unsuccessful, but not discouraged. I sat on the information for an entire year.
Two months ago, I received an email from someone trying to collect letters for Mother's Day. I didn't send a letter, but I did register onto your website. Through my registration, I was contacted by a woman in San Diego named Jan Bowyer. She had a database of Texas Driver's records. I emailed her my information, and she was able to produce a match. We were able to find her married name through her maiden name. Jan gave me here current address, phone number, and birth day.
We have since been in contact, are meeting each other in May, and have a wonderful story to share. It couldn't have been more perfect. She was so responsive. I'm sure you hear stories like this all the time, but I just wanted to thank you for your help and all that you are doing for open records and adoptions.
I'm sure that you are a very busy man, but if you would ever like to hear a wonderful story, call me and I'll tell you mine. We could meet for coffee or something like that. I am planning on writing the story this summer. "Devine intervention" played such a role in this encounter. I just have to share it with others.
Thanks for helping to open up this door!