Friday, June 19, 2020

An Open Letter to My Birth Mom

Dear Birth Mom,

You don't know me. We met exactly once, on the day that I was born, but by then, you'd been in labor for, like, forty-eight hours, so you must have been exhausted. (I'm so sorry about that.) I hope they let you hold me for at least a little while, but they probably didn't. I'm sorry about that, too.

I should probably back up. Last year, I spit into a tube as part of the audition process for a reality TV show. I didn't make the show because my sister and her husband decided to have a baby (which is a whole other blog post), but I DID get the results from that tube I spit into. And guess what?! They found my birth dad.

He died twenty years ago.

In a car accident, sadly. I learned this from his other kids. I know you knew that he had kids, but did you know that one was only six years younger than you were? I guess he lied about his age. Is that why you didn't get married? I used to think it was because he wasn't a member of your church, but as it turns out, he was. Now I'm not sure what to think. Maybe you broke up with him before you found out about me, or maybe he broke up with you BECAUSE he found out about me. (I really hope that isn't it.) Hopefully, I'll get to ask.

As you've probably surmised, my spit couldn't pinpoint you. I'm quite certain it's because you were placed for adoption, too. But here's the most amazing thing--since my spit is half your spit, it found YOUR birth mom and dad.
   
Unfortunately, they're dead, too.

Are you noticing a theme? My head keeps reminding me that our genes weren't built to last, but my heart keeps holding on. I really need to tell you thanks for letting me derail your life. For giving me life, period. And for giving me two parents who went to the moon and back to help me become who I am. But you were adopted, too, so maybe you already know. Still, I'd love to say the words and meet you face to face. Again.

Until then, I won't give up. I'll chase every lead I have. It might take a little longer thanks to this lovely pandemic, but I'm strong-willed. I'm persistent. And I'm going to find you (in the friendliest possible way). 

Your birth daughter,
Krista

7 comments:

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for sharing such a personal post, Krista. I hope you find your birth mom. I'm an adoptive mom. I adopted my daughter from China when she was one year old and she's 23 now. She doesn't want to find her birth parents, at least now, so I have to respect that though I wish we could find them so they know she's okay.

Good luck in your search and thanks so much for sharing this.

Krista Van Dolzer said...

I didn't realize you were an adoptive mom, Natalie--that's so cool! As for your daughter, give her time. As I implied above, I wasn't interested in finding my birth family when I was younger because I felt completely content with and secure in my adoptive family, so if anything, the fact that your daughter isn't interested in looking for her birth family right now is a testament to the loving family relationships you created for her.

Birth Moms Today said...

Krista, I shared your post on my Birth Moms Today page and we are all hopeful with you! Sending big love your way! Please update us WHEN the good news happens. <3 <3 <3

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Thank you so, so much!

ASTraveller said...

RIP :(

Jenni said...

I can so relate to this. I too am adopted. I’m reunion with my birth mom for a few years now. Also a member of the church. I know how expressing yourself about being adopted is very therapeutic. So keep doing so. You’ll be glad you did. I am doing so on a blog I write theadoptedride.com. I hope you get your answers, I know how important it is. If you need help in doing so you should connect with discoverfamily.net they assist through AncestryDNA, and that’s how I found my family. ( I’m a member of their team also. ) But mostly from one adoptee to another I can relate to this!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Thank you for the condolences, ASTraveller. And thanks for the tips, Jenni!