Want to contribute to a cause you care about and earn some money? Learn more about writing for adoption.com.

One Question - Why?

For anyone who may read this:

I have been reading for years where children through Catholic Services are caught up in their adoption services. I, for one, got in their system in 1953 and had placed my son for care til I could get on my feet. The father was in trouble with the service, and I had no income from him. I was 22 years old, and I had to find a job and place to live. I could not get help from my parents, for they got a divorce in 1953.

The father of my son was Catholic, and when we married, I signed papers to raise my children Catholic, as they had you do back then. While my husband was in jail, they pressured him to sign papers to have my son taken for adoption. Boy, you will never know what I have gone through all these years. I have had a hard time living with my self over this.

Now, at the age of 72, close to 73, I have found my son. Wish you could hear some of the things he has told me. He did get adopted by a great family who has passed away. They were led to believe myself and the father had been killed in car wreck. He had been looking for family as I had been looking for him.

Thomas came to see me and we talked for hours. Now, we are going through this thing of sorting things out. It has been hard on us, for you have to get to know one another, him being 52, and me being 72. When he was 2 and I was 21, that is when I last saw him. How wonderful it is to find your child.

I pray that those who are looking don't ever give up. I have no idea where my reunion will go from here, but I would like to be a part of my son's life. We haven't talked since he left, and I feel he should be the first to call, for he has a family, and I am alone.

I still want to know why the Catholic Services got away with so much, taking children from mothers when they needed help to take care of their children. Everyone gets down and needs a bit of help in their lives. I have bent your ear too long now. Thanks for reading this, and maybe you can answer me. When the word Catholic Services is in anyone's letters when they are looking for birth parents or family, I sit up and take notice. Maybe it's just me because of what I went through.

Hugs to all who are looking, Elaine (shotsie1931@yahoo.com)

Share your story and read more stories.