Friday, January 2, 2009

I got it!

I just wanted to post quickly to let you all know that I got my birth certificate - well, a copy of my original birth certificate.

I was at the Vital Records office when it opened, although I waited a bit to go in. The crowd of people and TV cameras were a little intimidating. I sat in the car and breathed deeply for fifteen minutes until I was ready to go in.

I have to say that the state had done a really good job streamlining the process, and it was pretty simple. I waited in line to pay my $10, and then went to the line in front of A-L (by adoptive last name). I showed my receipt and my notarized form (they never even asked me for my amended birth certificate - the one I risked my life in a snowstorm to get!). The very nice lady checked me off a list and handed me a sealed envelope with my name on it.

I promptly burst into tears. I know - lame, right? But, in my defense, I was NOT the only one crying. I stopped to chat very briefly with a couple of people from OBC, and then went out to the car, where I opened the envelope.

I'm not ready to put all the information out on the web just yet. I have to just BE with it for a while, but I wanted you to know that I have almost everything I was hoping for.

I know my birth mother's name. I know her address at the time I was born. I know my given name, and I know she cared enough about me to give me a name, which she was not required to do. There is no birth father's name listed, which is disappointing, but it was also expected.

I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do next, or when I'm going to do it. For today, I'm going to keep looking at this simple piece of paper, which says so much about my origin. I'm probably going to cry a lot more. And I'm going to thank God for answering my prayers.

I'll think about what's next later on, after I've gotten my bearings again. I'm so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to answer some questions I've had for a very long time. I'm also grateful to you for your support. Your encouragement has meant so much. Please don't go away. I think I'm going to need you for the next leg of the journey!

33 comments:

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

As IF you'd LET me go away.

Hallie :)

(Btw, I told "S" that "M" said hello. He laughed and said congrats!!)

Unknown said...

Awesome!

I am very excited for you and insist on calling you by your real given name.

It's the least I can do as a friend.

Seriously, though, you must be ELATED!!

Unknown said...

:-)

Eternal Lizdom said...

Congratulations!!! I can imagine how you are feeling... so exciting, so overwhelming... almost connected, moreso than before...

It's kinda like it's your birthday all over again! Happy Birth (certificate) Day!

knittergran said...

I am so happy for you! Congratulations on your perserverence and hard, emotionally-draining (I would imagine) work.
Keep us up on where things go from here...

joanne said...

Congratulations M.E.!! Now we can all take a deeeep breath with you ;) Have a fabulous day...

Reddirt Woman said...

I am so glad all went smooth for you this morning. The tears were just a release from all that tension, anticipation, fears, etc. that you've been holding in for oh so long. What choices you have before you now... You can choose to use your first given name in your search and share with other people or not... you can start or not the search for your birth mother to see if you can find out who your father was or not... you can find out medical history...

You must feel like an adventurer on a whole new planet. Keep us beamed in when you feel like sharing. We are all here for you.

Helen

Corrine said...

WOO HOO!!!
I am so glad that you took the time to touch base with us all out in the blogosphere. I have been thinking about you all day! I wanted Andy to call you at 6:oo this morning to wish you the best in person!
We look forward to details, when you are ready.
Do you feel any different??

Kim said...

Way to go M.E.! I hope more good things follow.

Abby Reed said...

YAY!!!!! Congrats!! I've been thinking of you all day... so glad to hear you have what you wanted!

2009 is looking great for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

******hugs******

PS: Thanks for your kind words on my recent post. I appreciate you very much!

Kellan said...

I'm so glad you found it! I wish you a Very Happy New Year! Kellan

katy said...

I couldn't wait to get home from work to check....I'm glad you got that paper.

Robin said...

i'm so happy for you! now there's no where to go but forward......how exciting this must be for you.

i am truly happy for you...keep us posted.

p.s. thank you for your kind words and support on my blog, it really meant a lot!

Unknown said...

ME...God is good.

Cupcake Blonde said...

You should know by now that none of us are going anywhere! :)

I am so happy for you! I know it is a lot to process and there is a lot more to come but this is such wonderful progress and you are one step closer to getting everything you want.

claudia said...

WooHoo! That is so cool that you have that most important paper... YAY!
Now, you have the reins in your hands and you can do what you want with them. Such a freeing feeling! I am so happy for you!
AND...
I am certainly not going anywhere! I want to know everything you want to let me know as soon as you want to let me know it.
When you said you burst into tears, I did too.
From the other side of the coin, I am feeling the excitment, the anxiousness, the curiosity, all of it right along with you.

kim-d said...

Wow. You have another name. It's one thing to be adopted to have a different last name like the rest of the family, like what happened with me--but it's a WHOLE DIFFERENT DEAL when you find a different first name.

I am so happy for you; I am so glad that now, whatever you decide to do, it's for YOU to decide and not because you don't have the info you need. Just...WOW.

Here, always.

Mrs4444 said...

Wow!! That is so cool. I'm so happy for you. Just wow.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

WONDERFUL!!!!! I so can relate to bursting into tears... over and over when the information was handed to me... dont forget i have a program that I bought to help find folks... and have found some over the years. If you want me to run it just email ok.
I am so happy for you ME!!! HAPPY SNOOPY DANCES ALL AROUND THE ROOM. HUGSSSSSSSSSSSS

Laura ~Peach~ said...

oh just for kicks... my birth mother named me Karen Marie ***** my adoptive parents named me Laura Jean....in the orphanage the preacher named me PEACHES... My mom still calles me peaches...

Unknown said...

I did this too...Waited...thought and then reacted-very normal CONGRATS!

Laura Marchant said...

Congrats! I have chills for you.

Unknown said...

Conratulations! I am so happy for you... I hope everything turns out the way you hope...

Heather said...

WOW. While watching the news the other night I couldn't help but think of you when the story aired. I am so glad that some of your questions have finally been answered. And I hope the rest of them will be in a short while.

Manette said...

I've recently begun reading your blog and am truly touched by some of the amazing emotions and trials I have read so far. This one, though, touched me the most. Since our son was adopted through foster care, we have so much information that we can already share with him. He's only 6 years old, but he loves to hear about Erisa. He always asks when he can meet her and I happily tell him that we will search for her when he turns 18, though I would gladly and willingly look now if we were allowed. Unbeknownst to him, though, I do type her name into the computer on a monthly basis hoping that something will come up that I can share with him... So, reading how much this information has meant to you tells me just how much it means to my son (though he can't express his feelings as vividly as you). So, from the bottom of my heart... THANK YOU for sharing such a beautiful moment!

Tonjia said...

This is amazing! I am so happy for you.. just take time and let it all settle in.

Shellie said...

Whoopppeeeee! It's so exciting what a name can mean. Just a name. I'm assuming it didn't say not to contact. Take your time and feel out what you want to do next. I'll be here.

Lipstick Jungle said...

CONGRATS LADY!!! I was gone all weekend without internet again, but I thought of you on Friday afternoon, and raised my glass of wine (I told you I would) to you at about 3 CST and hoped that you HAD found what you were looking for! I cant wait to watch this adventure unfold!

As Cape Cod Turns said...

YAY YOU!!!!
I am sorry I have been MIA, but I was thinking of the date today and thought about you and how you must have gotten your bc on Friday and how lame I was not to immediately check in!!! OK, I am back with internet and can start blogging to my hearts delight again and keeping up with my blogging friends. I am so glad that you finally got SOME answers and I am sure they are going to lead to more questions, but it's a start right? Thanks for letting us in on your journey!!!

Unknown said...

You must be SO happy right now! Another piece of journey is with you and now another piece is getting ready to start.
I am so glad that you were able to get it.

I hope the rest of your search goes well and I can't wait to hear it. :)

Barb Matijevich said...

It must be very disconcerting, even if you cognitively knew that it would be. I can't imagine what you're going through or feeling but I'm excited for you.

Alice said...

I've been moving and out of work with no internet. But I was thinking about you this weekend and prayed your found what you were looking for. I am so happy for you. And can't wait to see what the next leg of the journey brings.

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