Show — fggqy- n mother Finds Daughter (continued) Unfortunately they had little information that could lead her to her birth mother Nancy’s adoption agency the Barker Foundation in Washington DC reported that neither of Nancy’s parents had been in touch with it 'The agency was however able to reveal nonidentifying information “It was great” remembers Nancy “I learned that my mother was 22 when I was bom that my father was 5 feet 11 inches and had brown hair that my mother was friendly had dignity and composure weighed 8 pounds that I 7 ounces when was bom that one of I my feet turned in and that am English Irish German and Dutch I cried just I seeing this information I meant so much to me had never resented being adopted but there was a big black hole in my background I didn’t know where I came from” however Nancy’s birth mother who was married and had a son had made herself a promise: “I decided that when I was 50 and my daughter was 28 when she was a mature young lady able to decide whether she was interested in me I would 22-year-o- ld few days later Mrs Johnson read a story in Family Weekly jlithe San Antonio (in Expr- called “The Moving Story of Parents Who Give Away Their Children” which mentioned Concerned Inc United Birthparents (CUB) an organization that encourages birth parents to “come out of the closet” Mrs Johnson wrote to CUB and was referred to ALMA She registered with ALMA Three weeks immediately later she received a telephone call from a young woman who said “ALMA suggested I call you I think we have a match I have reason to believe you are my ess-News) mother” Johnson and her daughter cried and talked for an hour They were hungry for information about each other What kind of life have like you had? What do you to do? What are your parents like? Who is my father? Why did you place me for adoption? Do I have brothers or Mrs ven with these little bits of information it didn’t seem to Nancy as though the hole was much closer to being filled She decided to register with ALMA (Adoptees’ Liberty Movement Association) a New York organization that matches inquiring adoptees with birth parents (For information write ALMA PO Box 154 Dept FW Washington Bridge Station New York NY 10033) But she heard nothing and after more than a year of being registered she became discouraged again Meanwhile search for her” says Mrs Johnson “On August 5 1979 her 28th birthday I felt myself getting depressed as I did every year on that date 1 told my husband ‘The time has come’” sisters? A month later the wo1 men met in Washington little guess we were both a nervous” admits Mrs Johnson “We wondered if we would accept each other But inside we both felt it was We went going to be OK right to a motel and talkedI for eight hours nonstop was so proud of her She was more than anyone could have hoped for — a pretty well educated bebeautiful warm human ing We had so many years to make up and we got We along in every way discovered little things we 4 -- had in common — we both have a crooked finger on each hand We both love yams and detest squash” “It was great” agrees Nancy “A couple of months later I went to Texas and met Kathy’s husband and Duane my who has always wanted a sister I also met aunts and uncles and grandparents and Kathy’s friends I felt so good like a whole person” (Nancy has also now met her birth father) In May Nancy’s In this mad mad world marriages on our continent are breaking up at a frightening rate One analyst states that out of every ten marriages in the US today four will end in divorce No need here to get into a religious debate on divorce We are all agreed that it is at very least a human tragedy Even when the separated put on a brave front there remains a certain anguish over "what might have been" Getting married is not like buying a car One can get rid of one car and get another without suffering any soul scars Not so when one leaves one spouse and goes it alone or takes up with another Often too there are children whose suffering at the separation of their parents can affect their whole lives Surely if we have any feeling for the good of society and the happiness of individuals we ought to do what we can to prevent unwise and premature marriages and to help prepare those who are planning to marry As a step in this direction we are pleased to offer a new pamphlet: "Are You Fit to be Tied?" It has a light touch but a serious message in easy language Write for your free copy today No one will call on you birth mother came to Washington for her daughter’s wedding She met Nancy’s adoptive parents whom she calls “Nancy’s folks” Wrights were with how the The turned out Wright recalls “In our case everything has worked out beautifully Nancy is relieved and I don’t think there is any question that we are her parents Kathy sat in the first pew with me and my husband when Nancy was married and it was a very happy time It was like having a new and nice — FREE— Mail Coupon Today! Please send Free Pamphlet entitled "Are You Fit to be Tied " This offer is limited to ont free FM-7- 9 pamphlet Name Address State City Zip friend” Mrs Johnson agrees: “We CATHOLIC INFORMATION SERVICE got along so well” she says She told me what a joy Nancy has been to them C4B9IGE3TS PO Box 1971 New “Yes I feel sad sometimes because I realize what I have missed by not being with Nancy all of these years but I still feel I did the best thing for her I was young and unmarried and I didn’t know what the future would bring Nancy has had a wonderful life with parents who love her She is well traveled educated and has a beautiful personality And I feel that now we have developed a good relationship that we can enjoy for a long time Every morning wonderful thing really I wake up and say ‘Has this COBBBnSDUS of Haven Conn 06521 Open to all poets! Potholders A grand prize of $1000 will be Dutch Twins in easy crochet Craft No 567 has crochet directions To order send $125 plus 25c for postage and handling for each pattern to: Family Weekly Magazine PO Box 438 Dept 9 Mkltown Station NY NY 10018 Be sure to include your name address zip code and craft number (New York residents add sales taxj A-8- happened?”’ FAMILY WEEKLY August 10 1980 4 MARRY NOW PAY LATER? half-broth- er 19 awarded in a new poetry contest sponsored by World of Poetry a quarterly newsletter for poets die-Lo-u Says Poetry Editor Ed Cole “We want to encourage new poets— even poets who have written only one poem!” For compkte information write World of Poetry 2431 Stockton Dept F Sacramento CA 95817 t U |