[FallenChild]

yep - perfectly normal - Unfortunately like me and the oher ladies, adoption has caused us to forever mourne the passing of a relationship with our children ... and while we may try to be strong each day of the year (if possible at all), it seems that on our children's birthdays we have no choice but to just "fall apart" - it's call an Anniversary Reaction!! I too have learned only to embrace my pain on my duaghter's birthday, and allow myself time off on that day. Adoption has left an indelibly scar onour souls, and unfortunately the Anniversary Recation is just an example of the number of times through out the year that our perpetual mourning undermines our productivity. Wish I could say otherwise, but I myself have resolved myself to the understanding that there is "no cure" - in sisterhood, Fallen Child

[smccammond]

Wow, I cried reading everyones response. I can only hope that someone truly misses me that much! Don't get me wrong my aparents are the greatest, but there is always a void and it has only grown more as I have had my own kids. I'm so afraid of rejection, that I can only dream that she would be like one of you wanting and waiting.........

Sommer

[alwaysmissingu7590]

yup- I sure do-
my bson turned 18 on Saturday, and I've been riding an emotional roller coaster since a week prior...

[wishfulthinker]

I just read through these posts and it sure was comforting to me. I am an adoptee and just had my 38th birthday on Thursday. For me, my birthday has always been somethiing of a mystery which has always made me feel sad and empty. I had always wondered if my bmom ever thinks of me on my birthday or even remembers when my birthday is. These feelings just seem to get stronger and stronger every year as I get older. Reading your posts, I can only hope that my bmom shares the feelings those that have posted had. That would mean that she cares and thinks about me.

I started searching a couple of months ago and was crazy enough to hope to have a name and contact information that I could use on my birthday - no such luck.

I would like to let you bmoms know that chances are your bchild is also thinking of you their birthday. I hope that brings some comfort to you all.

[djvj]

yes, i always cry. i've learned from years of experience to give myself around 1-2 weeks near/on her birthday to be sad and think of her.

my first boyfriend after i relinquished started a tradition that has helped me: he made her a birthday cake and we had a little party for her. some years it included other family members, different boyfriends, my husband, and sometimes it was just me. but evey year she had a cake (which I ate) and there were candles...it's just a way for me to honor the truth that i did in fact give birth and that i loved my bchild no matter where she was.

best of luck to you, birthdays & mother's day are the hardest for me, and it's been 22 years!

[Jennasmom1990]

I have always had a lot of down days before my birthdaighters birthday. this year was different b/c i was in reunion with her, so it was actually a happy day for me, but next year won't be as my reunion has grown stagnant...

I am just trying not to think that far ahead right now!

[JustPeachy]

I don't often get depressed or cry around my son's b-day, but I ALWAYS think about him, not so much in a sad way, but maybe a little bittersweet. I usually just wonder what he is doing, how he is feeling, reflect on his age, perhaps, and send good wishes his way, but recently I began actually celebrating like djvj, with a candle, cake or a small toast to him. It never really occurred to me that I could still celebrate his birthday, even though he wasn't with me, until I heard another bmom say she did this. I thought it was such a lovely way to honor her daughter that I started doing it for my son.

[Jo Ellen]

I have a question for those of you that are reunited with your children..... Have you told them how you have spent their birthdays in past years without them? Have they asked or have you just told them....those who have told? The reason I ask these questions is... I have been reunited 2 1/2 years with my birth parents. My first birthday after our initial contact was about 6 weeks. My birthmother sent me a bday card which arrived on my birthday. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. Then the next year (2nd bday with them) she called me at the time of my birth and we talked for nearly an hour. They had also sent a beautiful flower arrangement. She hadnt remembered the time of my birth until I had given her a copy of my OBC a few months before. Then last year (3rd bday with them) she didnt call me. They were on an extended vacation for the winter. So feeling upset and wanting to talk with her I called her. She didnt seem surprised I called but when she gave the phone to my birthfather for me to talk with him she said to him... Its Tracy and its her bday. I have not talked about how I felt that day but it makes me wonder what is in store for further bdays. I have also let them know how much I would like to be with them on my bday but that hasnt come up again either. She has told me numerous times that she has always thought of me and I have no doubt about that but I often wonder what my bdays were like for her ......for them knowing they have been together since I was 6 years old. I want to say more.....to know more but dont want to push the issue if it would be out of line for me to do that. Any thoughts or suggestions on how I can get through the wondering and concern for their well being with this?

[Anetscat66]

When my Son's Birthday comes around every November, I ball like a big baby!! Once I am able to pull myself together, I then sing happy birthday to him and put a candle on a cupcake and blow it out, hoping that someday we reunite!!! Crying does help, it releases alot of emotions so I can get through the day!! Hugs - Annette

[gyspyrose]

I was born on Sept 3rd. I have had wonderful birthdays with my adoptive family. Like the time my family was about 2-3 hours away camping, and they showed up with my favorite birthday cake. But I still wonder If my bmom has ever done the things that you women speak of. Maybe this Sept I will have both moms to celebrate with. Or maybe this is just to much to expect.

Deb