Letter in Mothers Day Card - May '02

Dear Merrily,

Looking through Mother's Day cards, I didn't find many

that applied to us. There were a lot of joke cards and

a lot of cards that thanked moms for cleaning dirty socks

or making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches just right,

but none that said what I wanted to say to you, except

for this card.

"Mother's love is the first gift we know -- and we never

outgrow." My whole life I've been told that somebody

loved me enough to give me away and somebody loved

me enough to take me. I feel like my whole life has been

an extension out of the first love given me - yours.

So even though I've thanked you for this before, I am

thanking you again. Thank you Merrily for my love filled life.

I have to admit that with all the love and gratitude

I feel for you, while writing this, I'm feeling a little sad.

I'm feeling sad because it seems like we're both so busy

and we never have time to talk, let alone see each other.

I miss you, that's why I'm feeling a little sad. So I'm going

to talk to you more and plan a trip out to Atlanta when

it's good for both of us. I still have to meet Bunny and Dolly!

And I'd like to spend some semi-alone time with you

(I know you've got your hands full :).

Congratulations, again, for having the kids.

I know you'll be a wonderful mom to them.

And thank you for everything.

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Bryan

blink, blink, blink

And now, The Dolly LLama

When Gapetto and I returned from our jaunt up to the 

Northeast [a little worn out and craving some baby-love] 

we were presented with this note from the Dolly, 

along with lots of hugs and kisses.

[And of course the requisite 'did you bring me a present?']

When my brother came over.

This is a guest post by none other than the Bunny Rabbit.

To say that he loves his big brother Bryan would be an 

understatement of serious magnitude...

Letter Dated July 15, 1999

Dear Merrily,

We were all thankful and delighted that my note reached you.

Thank you for responding so promptly. It took Bryan a couple

of days, trying to make his letter 'perfect', but he decided to

mail it today (anyway). I think it's a perfect letter, and I hope

you will too. I have a million questions, and suppose you do

too, but I will take a back seat for awhile, and let you and

Bryan begin this. If you do want or need something from me,

do not hesitate, because I am here.

I would like to tell you that you have been in our hearts and

prayers all these years, with special thoughts of love and thanks

from me to you each April 1st. This does not mean that Mr. D

[Bryan's A-dad] has not felt the same, but I will let him speak

for himself when the time is right.

Love,

Mom-of-Bryan

To view letter Bryan sent and his picture click here.

6/27/99 - The Scouting Letter

Dear Merrily,

This is a 'scouting' note to see if this reaches you. I'm afraid

too many years may have passed since our last communication.

Bryan would like to contact you, if you are still willing. We

have shared your letters with him, and he has written you one.

Now that he has grown into a wonderful young man, I, too,

would love to communicate with the woman who has been

an angel in my life since April 1, 1979.

I hope this note not only finds you, but finds you well.

Fondly,

Mom-of-Bryan

123 Nice Street

Somewhere CA 90000

Mom-of-Bryan@home.com

blink, blink, blink

The Parents Response (1991)

[enclosed photograph]

Lawyer for Parents of my Birth Son

Attorney at Law

January 30, 1991

Dear Ms. Merrily:

The parents of the child you gave birth to eleven years ago have asked me to make their initial response to your letter of December 1990. I know that you understand the emotional impact that it has had on them: you anticipated it in your letter. They would like for you to know, however, that they appreciate your feelings. They have been continuously grateful for the gift you gave them.

Their son is healthy, strong, creative, and exceptionally bright. He is as perfect and as beautiful now as when last you saw him. Does he look like you? Yes, the resemblance is remarkable.

In return for the information they are giving you, Bryan's parents would like to know more about you. What is your Social Security number? Does Mr. In-The-Wrong-Place-at-the-Wrong-Time know about their son? May they continue to communicate with you? Would you be willing to authorize their access to your medical records at Birth Hospital?

Anticipating your response, I have enclosed a medical information release form which I would like for you to sign and return to me in the enclosed envelope. Please let me know how you feel about this letter; bridges must be carefully built to avoid harm to those that use them.

Yours truly,

Mr. Lawyer for Parents of my Birth Son

The Letter - July 1999

Dear Merrily,

I've wanted to write this letter ever since I saw my own face smiling back at me. On April 1, 1997 my parents gave me the letters you sent them when I was eleven. I've thought about this letter alot since then. Only recently have I had the courage to attempt writing and I've found it is as difficult as I imagined. It's hard to put a lifetime of thoughts and feelings into sentences and paragraphs. I have to start somewhere though, because there is alot I want to tell you and alot I want to know about you.

I want you to know what think of you. I've always thought of you as a nice lady. But when I saw your face and read what you wrote about me and how considerate you were to my parents, I was overwhelmed. All the wondering...and you seem so sweet and so nice and so wonderful.

I want you to know that I've never regretted what you did when you were nineteen. I've always been proud to have been adopted. My parents always told me that somebody loved me enough to give me up and somebody loved me enough to take me, I've always believed that to be true. When I read what you wrote about loving me with all your might when you carried me I cried. I wondered why I was so lucky to have an angel bring me into this world.

I wonder how you're doing alot. How is [Mr. In-The-Wrong-Place-At-The-Wrong-Time]? How are your cats? (I'm allergic to cats.) How are you? Do you have any children? I thought about you on Mother's Day and wished you a happy one.

I've written this letter so may times. I really want it to be perfect, but it never seems to come out right. I wish I could meet you. I've always thought that one day I would like to meet you. And that's a big part of why I'm writing you now.

My best friend Melanie and I are taking a road trip around the country in August. We are going to stop in Atlanta for a few days in the middle of the month. If you aren't too busy and would like to meet then I would love it. Of course it's up to you. But if you would, you can send an email to my mom's address and I'll read it. Or if you want to send a letter, that's okay too. I just suggested email because we are leaving on the twenty-sixth [of July] and I don't know if a letter would get here in time. If this is too sudden of you don't have an interest in meeting me, I will understand. If that's the case, I would still like to communicate with you.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Love Bryan