A very special friend accepted my invitation to guest blog during Adoption Awareness Month. Sharon Fieker Cummins, co-founder of Adoption Triad of the Ozarks in 2003 (a peer support group for lives affected by adoption decisions) and co-facilitator of the Birth Parent Peer Support Group for Adoption Knowledge Affiliates, has connected with many on their adoption journey.
Why is Sharon so involved with adoption? She can tell you best…
“I recently attended a Concerned United Birthparents Retreat. We were
asked to tell our stories, starting with: “If only I had said…”
Here’s what I shared: “If only I had said: Mom, would you and Dad let me
move back home with my baby until I can get a job and settled again?”
My Adoption Awareness began in 1969 when I learned I was pregnant. My
boyfriend's reaction? "I don't care what you do; it's your problem."
He left, and I haven't seen him since.
I felt adoption was the only option so my baby could have both a loving
mother and father. I went to Kansas City, Kansas, to live with my oldest
brother and his family until my baby was born.
I hemorrhaged, almost died, and received blood transfusions after my
daughter's birth. I didn't see her. Signs on the doors prevented her from being
brought to my room, and I wasn't allowed to leave mine.
A social worker told me to go on with my life like this didn't happen. I
tried to do just that, smiling often so no one would notice how I really felt
on the inside.
I was raised in a Christian home but strayed from God because I felt so
unworthy. I returned to Springfield, Missouri, after my daughter's birth and worked
as a legal secretary.
Five years after her birth, I began employment at the local police
department in a non-sworn capacity. Four months later, a lady named Jeanette
started working there.
A former co-worker told me, "You're going to have a new employee.
She's a birth mom. She gave up her baby for adoption. Can you believe
that?"
I changed the subject and didn't discuss it further—not even with
Jeanette, the first birth mom I ever met. We worked side by side 21 years
before I told her my story.
In 1993, I reunited with Jesus Christ.
On February 2, 1995, I received a phone call that quickly got my
attention:
"In 1969 you gave up a baby girl for adoption; she wants to see you
now."
I started crying.
She told me, "Your daughter's name is Lori, and she was raised in
Kansas City. Can she call you later tonight?"
"Yes!"
Lori called, and we were reunited nine days later.
The past 29 years, I attended Lori's wedding and later became Grandma
Sharon twice. Nineteen years ago, I married for the first time. Lori and her
family were there for Roger and me, along with his 2 sons. I also became
Grandma Sharon to Roger’s grandchild. I was happier than I ever thought
possible!
Because of how my life changed, I wanted to help others. I published a
book, co-founded a local peer support group in Springfield, and vowed to help
adopted adults in Missouri be able to request their original birth certificates—like
Lori did in Kansas.
Jeanette and I retired from the police department the same day after 28
years. Lori and her family came to our retirement party. I asked Jeanette to
join me on several trips to Jefferson City to talk with legislators. It took
many Missouri volunteers 16 long years, but we got the laws changed!
While in Jefferson City, Jeanette met a lady named Heather who later
found her son—a sheriff in another Missouri county. They met for the first time
at an informational meeting my local group held near his city to bring
awareness to the change in Missouri’s adoption laws. She attended her
grandson's wedding last month.
I spent 20+ years helping adopted adults and birth parents find each
other.
I’ve been called “The Turtle Lady” because of my turtle collection,
started almost 50 years ago. I use the analogy of a turtle going into its shell
when danger approaches and staying until it’s over to demonstrate keeping my
secret for 25 years. Roger and I have matching turtle wedding bands!
The past 29 years have been amazing. Why would I want to change any of
it?
Don't hear me wrong. I am thrilled Lori had such a beautiful life:
Everything I always wanted for her. I just didn't realize how difficult
surrendering my baby would be.
Still yet, sometimes, I wonder what would have happened if only I had
said, "Mom, would you and Dad let me move back home with my baby until I
can get a job and settled again?" We cannot go back and change anything in
our past, but we can change our future.
My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have
for you,” declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to
give you hope and a future.” And my favorite song is…
…Because He Lives!
Because He Lives - Grace Larson
Sharon’s website is https://ichoosethisday.org.
Her book, I Choose This Day: Mournings
and Miracles of Adoption
by Sharon Fieker is available at Amazon &
AbeBooks as a pre-owned book.
She’s also a public speaker, sharing her
story.
#adoption #birthmother #adoptionlaw #adoptees
#reunion
#Missouriadoptionlaw #birthcertificateaccess
#Novemberadoptionawareness
Photo
credit:
freepik.com, online book cover photo, & S. Cummins