Bittersweet Birthright: Finding My Birthmother

Cover Design by Micheline Birger Bittersweet Birthright: An American Citizen Finds Her Birthmother in Germany: An Emotional Journey I wrote this story in 1991 about two years after I met my German birthmother in Germany in 1989. I was 41 at the time when I wrote this. I was 39 when I met her. I never thought it was possible. I believed in the impossible though. I had a lot of deep emotions. I hope that the reader is able to capture that moment in time with me. I personally believe that people have the right to know about their birth circumstances if they so choose. I had no say in the matter at the time of my adoption. No say on where I would go or who I would be with. All I know is it the best thing I could have ever done…finding my birthmother. It was the scariest emotional risk I have ever taken in my life. Like anything else in life, no risk - no reward. I personally believe that each and every adoptee wants to know where they came from even if they adamantly deny it. It is such a basic human right. Who wouldn’t want to know? That is my personal opinion. So be it. I certainly do not apologize for it. I am proud of it. I had to know. It helped me to heal my life on a deep level. I continue to do that even into my 60’s…heal my life at a very deep level. My goal now is to share my story with others through my experience. As an adoptee, before my search, people, even professionals would say – “Why do you want to do that? Why do you want to open that can of worms?” But, thank God, I didn’t listen to anyone but my soul and my heart. I needed that sense of completion before I went to my grave. No matter which way the pendulum swung – be it positive…negative, or somewhere in between - I was expecting the best but braced for the worst. No matter what, every day since I made the commitment to the search and found my German birthmother in Germany, I have a deeper sense of peace about myself. Most people take for granted their legacy, their birthright. They cannot understand the isolation and longing that goes on in the