Humble Beginning?

October 1968, or was it?

Cutie

On my ABC (Amended Birth Certificate) it states that I was born in a local hospital in October 1968. And that is about all it says that is correct, technically anyway. I was adopted several months after this, possibly in a foster home in between. Supposedly, North Carolina has not changed birth date data on ABCs since 1945. Time will tell.

I have always known that I was adopted. I mean as far back as I can remember, my parents told me that, "they couldn't have kids, but I needed a mommy and daddy; and they needed a child to love. They always told me that they were blessed because they 'picked' me to love." I believe that this was a very healthy approach to a possibly difficult subject. I am very thankful for this candid approach and believe that it created positive views towards my biological parents.

I certainly could not say that I have never wondered about my birth parents. I can say that I have never cared to find them while my adopted parents were alive. I don't know how they would react to finding my birth parent(s). I think I can safely say that it was "in the back of my mind."

Well, circumstances changed in August of this year (2013). My mother passed away at 81 years old. My mother was 36 years old when they adopted me, my father was 40. I couldn't have asked for a better home life or better parents. But, now that both parents had passed away; would I search for my birth parents/family?

My birthday this year prompted quite a resurgence of the quandary concerning my biological family. I started the research. North Carolina passed a law in 2008 concerning adoptees and that will make my task somewhat easier. However, there are still countless hours ahead of me. I have found a few contradictory facts in my search:

For example, I have always been told that I was a large baby that caused problems for my birth mother. I don't think that is true. Supplementary information that was included with my adoption papers show that I was 7lbs 4oz at birth. Hardly "large". Wonder what other information is not exactly reliable?

As the search has continued, I have contacted the North Carolina Department of Social Services in Raleigh to obtain the agency that approved by adoption. I was pleasantly surprised that it was Dare County. That's right, the OBX, the "beach". Does that mean a birth parent lived there? Not necessarily, but it means that something is there waiting for me to find out.

An official request for "non-identifying" information concerning my birth family has been sent to an official at DSS in Dare County. Which could take awhile...

So, how do I feel about all of this?

What if I have siblings? I grew up an only child, I wouldn't even know how to act.

What if there are heriditary medical issues that I don't know about?

What if I wait too long to search? I could miss out on an opportunity or a blessing...

What if it was a private adoption and my adopted parents knew my birth parent(s)? Intriguing.

What if I am actually an alien?? Not likely, but one could hope.

I realize that this may not be interesting to some of you, and that is understandable. But those of you that can read this, will know that this is a fun and fantastic journey for me. 

I will try and keep my search updated as much as possible.

A. A.