Did you swim to the anchored boat, or row? One teenage girl; and the blue eyed boy who adored her. It was there in the salty, sea air Passion reigned, conception unforeseen Innocence, yet no thoughts of what was to come I became me.   A presence inside you, Movement within, A period missed… Morning sickness… Support offered by no one. Pressure and stress prevailed.   Troubled and misunderstood, You were sent away. Maybe you read books, Or chatted into the night with a friend. Every girl had her own story, with a growing belly A common theme.   Sent away, Where no one knew you… Did you cry yourself to sleep? Feeling forgotten, unsure of what lay ahead. I would have tightly held your hand, had I been your friend. Smiled or wiped away a tear.   An adult now, I yearn to have calmed your fears, And wish I could have been your personal messenger Be the carrier pigeon to your blue eyed boy. Things could have been different. When you were sent away. ©2010, S.E. Waters

Below is a recent letter to Dear Abby from a birth mother who relinquished her daughter and never looked back, as well as Abby’s response and responses from other readers who had similar experiences. All articles were reprinted with permission. Dear Abby: When I was 25, I placed a baby girl up for adoption. I made a decision I thought was best for her and for me. I am 50 now and still believe I made the right decision. Last year she searched for and found me. I answered all her questions and eventually met with her and her parents. By all accounts she has a wonderful family and had a great childhood. We have stayed in touch through email. She wanted to meet my family, but I put her off for months. Eventually I gave in, and she met some of my siblings and their families. She and her “cousins” get along well and stay in touch through Facebook or other social sites. Abby, I feel nothing toward this girl. There is no maternal attachment. I did my job as a good mother and made sure she had the home I could not give her. If I never see Read more