Thank you to Lois Jane Siraco for sharing her story.
At 19 years old, Norman and Martha found themselves unexpectedly pregnant. Norman went overseas to serve in the military and Martha’s disapproving parents sent her to a home for unwed mothers. Martha was left feeling alone and abandoned by her family and Norman. The decision to place her beautiful baby girl up for adoption was made for her before she gave birth to her on July 8, 1950. After the birth of Lois Jane, Martha hoped that one day, she would be reunited with her.
Years later, Norman returned home and the two married and went on to have two sons. Martha continued to secretly hope that someday she would find her lost daughter and tell her the truth.
On February 6, 1983, I, Lois Jane, made a life-changing decision. On that beautiful winter Saturday, I spoke to my mother (Martha) for the first time in 32 years. Fear and anxiety surrounded me as I picked up the phone to call my mother, but these were quickly replaced with tears of joy when I spoke with her, years of mystery were finally gone.
On July 8, 1983, my biological mother and father threw me a first birthday party, party hats and all. My parents courageously introduced me to the entire family, many of whom did not know of her deep, dark secret.
One story we love to share is the day my “mother” met my mother. My adoptive mother, Cordelia, and my biological mother, and I met to have lunch. This helped both mothers to heal the wounds in their hearts. It also made me very proud to have two wonderful, powerful mothers. One phone call can change your life. It did mine.
Images: Lois Jane and her adoptive mother Cordelia