[6boysrus]

I am an adoptee who didnt loose anything.. including my heritage.

I was born to two Polish non american citizens, my birthmother returned to Poland a year after my younger sisters birth and adoption.

I was adopted by a immagrant Polish family so I have been and still am completely absorbed in my heritage and culture. Polish is my first spoken language, i attended Polish saturday schools through High School to learn about my culture as well as Grammar, Geography, History, learning to read/ write and also Religion class.

I was raised feeling internally that my homeland is Poland even though I am american born. I have visited Poland several times and still have much of my family living there.

I never felt that I didnt belong to my adoptive parents or that they id not birth me. There has never been a sense of loss and I have never felt a strong connection to birthfamily- perhaps because the loss was never evident since i did not loose anything.

I am very proud to be Polish and very proud to keep our longstanding traditions going in our family. I married a 3rd generation polish american and my children are very much also absorbed in our heritage. Though they do not speak, they do understand some. They at least know their prayers in Polish!! lol

i have had a blessed life with two wonderful supportive parents and extended family. The word adoption is just a label that doesnt fit me properly. i have never felt like an adoptee. I have never struggled with where i came from or who i belong to or with.

It is my wish for other adoptees to connect to their heritage from birth- i think though in todays world it is much an impossible task here in america because of the large generational spans of immigrants and for the large nationality mix we have. Its sad because i think much of the identity issues and questions do tend to stem from "who am i".

[snuffie]

How wonderful that you have such a strong cultural background! That is something I really long for.
I was adopted by Polish and Bohemian aparents. They were very proud of their heritage and would speak their respective languages at times and cook like their mother's used to. It was very interesting but I felt so left out! I knew from things that the social worker who had placed me had said that I wasn't Polish or Bohemian. My aparents always treated me as though I was of their same culture but when they would say things to me about it - I would think to myself "Who am I REALLY."

Many years later I found out that I am IRISH on my bmom's side. It opened up a new world for me. I feel more "grounded". I attend Irish festivals and actually wear green now on St. Patty's day without feeling like an imposter!

Although I am almost certain I know who my bdad is, there are still some nagging doubts. Like what if I get my hopes up and find out someday that he really isn't. So I may be hispanic or maybe not!
Some days I could just scream it is so frustrating.

I think you are right. Part of the loss we feel is not knowing our heritage!

Snuffie

[6boysrus]

Snuffie!

Good to see you, Ive caught some of your post but havent seen ya in so long!

Thanks for the reply! hope all is well for you and that life is treating ya well!

Yvonne

[snuffie]

Hi Yvonne!

I may have missed your post - but have you reunited with your bmom? I know you were searching in Poland.

Life is good. I have a granddaughter now! She is a month old and has a lot of red hair. Had i not found my bfamily - the red hair would be a mystery. But now we know it comes from my bgrandma.

One of my bbrothers is coming for a visit next week.
He and my husband have "bonded" and are going on a week long fishing trip. (I hope I get a chance to see him too)

Snuffie

[6boysrus]

Wow, alot has happened since we chatted! Congrats on everything going so beautifully with your birthfamily! And becoming a grandmother! What a joy she must be!

I did write those letters to Poland. All the women but one responded. I just presumed that the one who didnt respond was her, so I dont know for sure. I wrote a second letter and just simply told her about my life and reuniting with my sister. Wished her the best in life, etc.. She never responded to that either so I guess its just meant to be this way. Which is fine with me, Im not in the least bit dissapointed, I totally trust that if it was meant to be it can or will still happen.

Meanwhile, we moved to Indiana and we are steling into our new home and surroundings. Boys are keeping me busy- as usual- trying to homeschool among finding a place for everything in these darn boxes!

Im hoping to finally meet sis this year sometime if schedule permits! She is doing well and also busy as heck now that the school year has started.

GREAT to see you hon! Hope to chat with you more often!

~Yvonne