War Babe - Adoption Journey - Part 24

So, I haven't posted in a while. My "journey" to find my birth family has sort of come to a close. Well, in a way it has.  I have found my birth father's family and they were more welcoming than I could ever imagine. I have continued to correspond with my brothers and my uncles and a couple of cousins, and this correspondence really REALLY warms my heart. Plus, I am not so obsessed with the genealogy portion of it now that I know. 

However, I still know very little about my birth mother's family.  I talk to my brother, Art and his wife Pat, at times and I assume I will keep hearing from my other brother, Russ's wife, Karen at Christmas. I just wish I knew more about the lineage on that side.  Art, being adopted by his step father, knows very little about his mom's side of the family, and Russ was supposed to do some of his family tree but they have been doing some wonderful traveling (I see pictures on Facebook) and I guess he hasn't found the time yet. Plus, I know they weren't very happy with the negative light I shed on Liz when I was writing.  But I was just writing how I felt, not what could or could not be the truth. 

Russ seems more like me in some ways, being that he works in technology, and it would be really nice to get to know him.  I have never been able to communicate with him, only his wife has written to me or really ever spoken to me.  I guess in that respect I will just need to respect his wishes, and if he ever wants to know me better, he will let me know.  

War Babe Adoption Journey - Part 23! Oh goodness!

Oh my goodness!  I cant believe I forgot this part!  I had an adventure that I totally forgot to document during my trip to Kentucky, and it probably means just about the most to me!

When I first met my Uncle Don, he gave me a pocket knife that my birth father used to carry with him.  

  

I was carrying it in my hand as I walked around the land where he grew up trying to imagine what it was like when he was young growing up in this green green hollar. 

When I was packing, i slipped it into a pocket in one of my two suitcases. I had only taken one, but since it weighed over 40 pounds (50!) I asked them in the Austin airport if I could use the cost of my daughter's check bag since she wasn't coming and I had paid for one for each of us.  Well, she let me do that, but warned me that in Cincinnati, they may not do the same, and she suggested that I purchase another suitcase just in case.  So I did. 

When leaving to come home, I went to the baggage check desk and they were reluctant to let me check both bags since I had paid for only one.  I told them the story and after some discussion they decided that I could have my personal backpack and a carry on (the new bag was small enough for a carry on) without paying extra.  

I proceeded to the TSA where they scan your carry on bags.  As I waited in line, I realized that I had that pocket knife and did not know exactly where I had put it. Well, as fate had it, I had put it in the small new bag thinking it would be checked.  Of course they took it out and told me I could not have it.  I told them it was my birth father's knife and I had planned to check that bag.  I was told that I could go to a local store there and have it sent to myself. whew!!

I took my stuff back out at the gate entrance and went into a general type store, food, drinks, magazines etc.  The lady at the counter was great.  She said that she did this sort of thing for many folks in the same position, and that she did it for HER FATHER.  He would want her to have his pocketknife. (she was probably in her 70's) She handed me an envelope and told me to address it to myself as she prepared the knife by wrapping it in heavy paper and taping it well.  She then taped it into the envelope so it would not move around and rip it.  She would not take any money for it because her dad would not like that, she said. 

OF course I went back through the carry-on check and passed with flying colors!  

Never thought of the knife after I got home I guess until yesterday, there it was in my mailbox!  I feel so lucky to have it!  

War Babe Adoption Journey - part 22 - The Reunion Continued

I wanted to finish this "first" reunion story with my last night and flight home. 

So, my last night in Kentucky was spent with my brother Tim and his family.  He has a great wife and has been married 37 years!! Wow! ( Good Grief!!  I didnt get ONE picture of Kris!! How awful!!  I need to scan one I have from years ago.)  His daughter Jessica is still living with them, as well as many fur babies!  They of course have dogs (seems everyone there does) and a Siamese cat ( like my birth father had)  We ate homemade sloppy joes (best I have ever eaten!!) and had some awesome strawberry pie!  Then we sat up until who knows when (I think it may have been 9:30... not sure  LOL) and just talked and shared stories and memories.  It was different for me because I grew up an only child.  I keep telling him I don't know how to act like a sister!  Here is an old picture of Tim and his wife Kris.  

They had had another daughter, her husband and three children staying with them ( a house full!!) but they had left a couple weeks back.  So I slept in a very nice extra bedroom with a very comfy bed.  Another good nights sleep. 

Tuesday morning dawned with Uncle Rick and Tim driving me the long three hours to the airport to let me go home.  I was talking and reflecting all the way home that day.  What a wonderful reception I received.  I was welcomed into the family.  I felt that if I had been able to meet Russ before he passed, he would have welcomed me and been proud of who I am just as everyone there had.  I also felt that he would have known that being adopted at the time I was, 10 days old, was the best thing for me and that I had had a wonderful family growing up and still do to this day.  He, I feel, would have been at peace and happy that things turned out as they had.  This seems like the greatest gift that I had been given during my reunion.  I know that my bio family as well as my adoptive family that have passed are all looking down at me and smiling.  I am happy, I am content, I am full.  My journey in a way is over. However, a new chapter starts. One with not just one family to care, but two.  It has also sparked in me a love of Genetics and maybe wanting to become more of a genealogist.  I would love to be a "search angel" to some folks and help them with their search and their journey.  Knowing it from a personal side and being able to help would be AWESOME!   

War Babe Adoption Journey - Part 21 - The Reunion

Well dang.. I  have been writing for an hour.. and somehow deleted everything!!! eeeeeekkkk!!  I don't feel like writing it again right now... so stay tuned.... gurrrrrr

Ok, so, I wrote this in Google Docs to save it automatically.  Pasting it here!  I guess because I copied and pasted this some of the paragraphs came out SMALL!  I have tried everything except retyping them to get them to change!!  Maybe at some point i will retype this.  but since it is the second time I have done it... not gonna do it NOW!!!!

The day finally arrived when I would board the plane and fly from Austin to Cincinnati
to meet the family of my birth father.  I had been “talking” to many of them via
Facebook Messenger.
Funny, i had never spoken to any of them other than my Uncle Rick using Marco Polo.
Times have sure changed!  Typing is easier i guess because then the person
can read what
you type right then or at a later time, plus you don't disturb anyone by talking
on the phone.

I was supposed to go with my daughter, Stephenie, but at the very last minute
she was having a medical issue and was unable to go with me.
This did make me sad, but I didn't want to let it get in the way of me going
and having a good time meeting folks!

I boarded the with lots of excited .  Smooth fight. It was a very long walk
to get to the baggage claim where my Uncle and my brother were!
 I think we were all happy to see one another!!

As we began to drive back to Kentucky, I was thinking how beautiful
and GREEN the vegetation was.  They had driven almost 3 hours to
pick me up from the airport in Ohio so there was lots of time to talk and to
look around.

Everything was trees, grass and green.  Very different summer than my mostly
brown grass and flat land in my beloved Texas!

We dropped Tim off and went to my uncle’s house.
 I stayed with them for the first four nights I was there.
 I immediately felt comfortable at their home. It was just so good to be there
and actually see them and speak to them! Aunt Tina was so welcoming and
gracious. Precious little Sammie (little cousin, I think 1st once removed) was there
for the night.  We had a great dinner and (after a meltdown on MY part because
I forgot my hairbrush at home) we went to bed.

I slept so long on Friday morning, Uncle Rick thought he
might have to come check on me!  After a quick breakfast, we set out to visit.
First we went to cousin Vicki’s house. We were both surprised that she had
grown up knowing the story that her Uncle Russ had left a pregnant German girl
when he came back to the states, as she would not come with him.
 (we knew that he had only told his brother-in-law, Charlie,
but didn't realize that others might have known).
Vicki and I seem to look the most alike, her mom was one of my birth
father’s sisters. The funniest thing i was told is that there are two large
Tackett families in the area.  The “long-nose” Tacketts and the “wide-hipped” Tacketts.
And we are NOT the “long-nosed” Tacketts!! LOL

After having a great morning with cousin Vicki, we drove around to a couple
of cemeteries where Rick showed me all of the Tackett relatives who were laid
to rest there. That was very moving for me.
Back at home, we met Uncle Don and Aunt Kay who had driven in to meet me.
 He was my birth father’s (Russ) brother. Once we met with them, we headed off
to see where this Tackett family had their roots. Honestly, we went from Ohio to
Kentucky and back again several times during my days there.  I never knew what
state or city I was in! I think they got tired of me asking where we were! At any rate,

we ended up in Greenup, Kentucky in the “hollar” where my birth father grew up.

I walked around the property, trying to imagine Russ growing up there.
 Going down to the bottom of the hill to catch the school bus. Helping his parents
to garden, keep cows, learn to shoot, etc.  It was just beautiful, peaceful and I could
imagine it. Learning that my great great grandfather owned the mountain and
gave portions of it to his kids, i began to understand them all staying in the area.
 Back in the day that area had jobs in the steel industry, lumber, etc. and it is beautiful!
As this wasn't the first house that Russ had lived in, we stopped where there
used to be a road to the old homestead.  I am told that Russ burned that house

down when he was a kid! (i think that is what i was told!)

We visited with Hot Rod and his wife.  Honestly, I was told his name but even his wife
called him Hot Rod while we were there, so I don't remember his name!  He is a cousin
of mine as well. He, as well as other family members, still live in that area. I really DID
feel a sense of belonging, of family, when we were there!  

After our visiting day, we went to dinner at a great place, I THINK in Ohio.
 LOL Across the Ohio River again.

We ate and talked.  Here is my Uncle Don and Aunt Kay.  

Oh and before all that wonderful day, we stopped at a Dollar Store
for me to buy me a hairbrush!!  Then home, to another shower and
another great night's sleep.

Saturday would bring an exciting “family reunion” at a local restaurant.
(I think in Ohio again?) We picked up a cake for the event and proceeded
to the restaurant.  There I met so many of the folks I had heard about and or talked
to using Facebook. It was not overwhelming at all (as I know some folks feel)
I was so accepted and felt so much love from everyone!  Cousins, my brother,
Uncles, Aunts, and even Russ’s widow, Jan. She was initially angry at
Russ (who has been gone since 2005) for never telling her what he had told Charlie.
However, none of that anger was sent my way at all.  She was the sweetest woman.
She brought me several pictures of Russ and even some pictures of my brothers
when they were younger, which I did not have. Cousins also brought pictures of my
Tackett grandparents, and one of Granny Tacketts handkerchiefs she used in church!
 What beautiful, meaningful, thoughtful gifts! I truly felt
THANKFUL, GRATEFUL AND BLESSED!

This is my Uncle Rick, Uncle Don, and my brother Tim and me.

And here is everyone that attended!!

Uncle Rick said I needed to stand up and tell “my story”, because some had
been following this blog, but some had not.  

So I did.  I fit it all in between ordering our food and them bringing the food!  



Haha - Hope I did ok with that!

After a very successful “reunion” we rested a bit at home and then took off to
Whities Music Barn (I think that was the name) in Ohio.
This is where my brother Tim plays in a band with his bass.
 He even sings some!! Could not wait to go and hear them!

I do have to admit, it wasn't exactly what I expected!
 We drove for a while into the woods (it looked like to me) and then some homes
and then a large building with a few cars parked around in the “parking lot”.
 It certainly didnt look like any music venue I had ever been to!
We parked and walked in to pay the cover charge. To my surprise, there were
rows of church pews all lined up facing the stage in the front! The stage was set up
with speakers and instruments, so I guess we were in the right place!
 I wish I had taken a picture of the pews for those of you who have never been there,
but i didn't. We were introduced to some of brothers friends and then
proceeded to sit down in the third pew.

When the band began to play, I was TOTALLY into the music!
 It was all music I knew and could sing the words! That’s my favorite kind of music!
It was so great to see my brother in his element.  He was more animated and talked
more to us during the break than I had heard! Here he is with the red bass, singing!
I even was asked to dance by one of his good friends!  Had LOTS of fun!

They were done by 10, thank goodness.  I am NOT good at staying up past 10!
So back to Ashland, and have another good night’s sleep!

On Sunday, we were going to try and go to the lake on the pontoon boat,
but Tim had a get together planned with him and his wife Kris and two other couples,
who they feel are their family.  So Tim and his daughter, Jessica (my niece),
picked me up and off we went to get Kris and then over to the couple’s house
that had a pool.

Had a great time all afternoon, just talking and laughing while eating fried chicken,
and all the fixins.  Plus some of the best chocolate drip cake I have had!
(it was store bought, but dang good) Kris and Jessica went swimming.
 It was a great afternoon.

After concluding the afternoon, I went back home where Tina and Rick
were having folks over for taco salad.  I saw several cousins and their kids.
Chris (Scooby), his wife and son, Hannah and her husband with daughter
Kalie (sp?) and Jodie and her daughter Sammie.  Great group of cousins that I
truly enjoyed getting to know!! Cousins are great ya know!!!

Aunt Tina and Uncle Rick

Cousins Scooby and his family

Cousins, Hannah and Scott.
So, my last FULL day in Kentucky, Monday. School had started and work for most.
Tina, Rick and I took out the Pontoon boat to the nearest lake. We had it almost
all to ourselves and it was spectacular!! We ended up at one of the many waterfalls
where Tina and I got in the water on our floats and floated peacefully for quite some time.

What a wonderful time was had by all!  After driving home, showering and resting some, we went back to the cemetery where my birth father is buried. I felt sad there, never getting to meet him, but I felt also that I knew him a bit more, having spoken to everyone about him and seeing more pictures, hearing stories and even seeing him on a home video.  His voice heard for the first time, not sure how to express how I felt... sad? recognition? I am at a loss for words here.  Not normal for me.  

I am more than glad that I was able to go and meet HIS family, my bio family.  I am eternally grateful to have been adopted by wonderful people and I love my family beyond words, my Mom, my cousins, my aunt etc.  But now I have some more folks that accept me just because I am blood.  And that does feel good!  

WHAT IS ONE MORE PERSON IN THIS WORLD WHO LOVES YOU FOR WHATEVER REASON, BUT BLOOD?  I THINK EVERYONE NEEDS MORE PEOPLE WHO CARE!!   

War Babe Adoption Journey - Part 20

I am not going to write much today, I have way too much to do!  Tomorrow morning, my daughter and I fly to Kentucky to meet many of my birth father's side of the family.  We are SO SO excited!  I am sure I will post more after this journey!!

War Babe Adoption Journey - Part 19

Wow, I have not written in quite a while.  I guess that is because I am sort of in a holding pattern, or I feel like I am.  I have been looking forward to going to Kentucky with my daughter to meet my paternal relatives, and here it is two weeks away!  I have spent the time thinking of what to wear, what to take what to say... etc.  I have also tried to spend time getting to know some of the folks by texting with them on line. Strange thing is, I have never spoken with any of them on the phone!  I have heard my Uncle Rick talk on Marco Polo, but we haven't even used that in quite a while.  

I am still running interference with my adoptive mom as she is upset over my "sudden" interest in all of my adoption stuff.  I put that in quotes because it is definitely NOT sudden.  It is something that I have wondered and questioned most of my adult life within myself.  Today, one of my sister-in-laws said, "I hope you find what you are searching for."  I don't feel that I am actually searching any longer.  Once I found out who my birth father was, I feel that my search is over.  What I AM doing, is wanting to have that thing that most folks take for granted who are NOT adopted.  "I have Aunt Sallie's nose", or "You sure do have your Dad's smile".  Things like that. I also want to find out about my bio genes.  I want to know what my BF was like.  Am I like him?  The old hereditary vs environment thing that has fascinated me all my life. 

The other exciting thing that has happened is that I have finally gotten my birth father's service record!  Before, when I was writing to the National Personnel Records Center, I was trying to find a Tackett that was in Germany at the time I was conceived, as that would have pinpointed who my father was.  Once I found him through DNA though, I wrote off to get his records.  The fascinating thing about this is that there was a fire in 1973 that destroyed almost 80% of the military records for men who were discharged from the military between 1912 and 1960!!!   I am so lucky that I am able to see part of my BF records!  Below is an example of the 7 pages that were sent to me. 

How cool is THAT!!!???!!  
In showing these to my uncle and my brother, they were really surprised, because now I know more than them because no one really knew much about his service in the Army. 
'

War Babe Adoption Journey - Part 18

I haven't written in a while.  I guess because there hasn't been any new developments in my story.  I continue to talk to my Uncles, Don and Rick, as well as my brother, Tim, and several cousins.  I am enjoying getting to know them but really won't feel like I know them until I am actually there talking to them.  You that are adopted will understand that. I need to look into faces and see resemblances.  I need to be around them and see if I might have some nuances in my actions that they have as well.  I need to see if we have unusual interests the same.  It is just a THING with us adoptees.  People who aren't adopted don't really understand that.  They have always had "Aunt Sally's nose," or "Uncle Joe's feet", or even "Cousin Bill's way of wrinkling their noses when they laugh."  I have never had that.  My daughter has many of my physical characteristics and nuances, but that just isn't the same thing. I know where SHE got those, but I don't know where I got them from.  As I said after I met my cousin, I was thrilled when he said I looked like his Uncle Russ (my birth father) in the eyes.  

I still haven't purchased my plane tickets to go to Kentucky yet.  I am planning to go in August and take my daughter with me.  She and I need to have some girl time as well as meet our blood relatives!

My daughter, Stephenie above and my picture below.  

War Babe - Adoption story continued - part 17

It is Friday the 13th of April.  On Wednesday, I received a text from my bio-Uncle Rick to say that his son would be here in San Antonio on Wednesday afternoon until Friday morning.  I have not met any of my bio father's family, and as I have said, all have welcomed me with more than open arms, still a bit overwhelming. 

 So Rick gave his son, Gary, my phone number and Gary contacted me when he arrived in SA.  We decided to meet up on Thursday.  I got a text yesterday (Thursday, April 12th) to meet them for lunch.  He had come here to pick up his son from basic training that was done here at Ft Sam Houston.  

I drove up and Gary was waiting on the curb of the restaurant for me!  I met him, his wife, his little girl, his son and his son's girlfriend!  After we sat down we started talking and kept talking until it was time to go.  It was family day for his son and he had planned to spend the afternoon with him, and also letting his daughter swim in the hotel pool.  

I felt so excited and happy to meet my first cousin!  His dad has been the person I have talked most with mostly on Facebook Messenger. The most giddy I felt was when he said that I reminded him of his Uncle Russ (my birth father), especially around the eyes!  If you arent adopted, you may say, "I don't know what is so exciting about that!"  But believe me, I was thrilled beyond belief to hear that.  

I feel that we still have so much to say to each other, he has many memories of his Uncle Russ, as he was his favorite relative.  I want to tell the whole family my story and I want to hear theirs.  The one thing I really regret, is that I didn't take any pictures!  I so wanted a picture of Gary and I together!!  Well, hopefully, I can get those pictures this summer.  So here is a picture of him that I had.  Isn't he just the cutest!???  

We are still sort of planning a trip to Kentucky in August, however, two things have occurred in the last couple weeks.  First we had to pay way more IRS taxes than we thought and may not have the money to make the trip. Second, my husband is encouraging me to go alone.  He wants to meet them, but doesn't really have interest in sitting around listening to us just talking away  I also am dying to go fishing with them and my husband isn't even interested in that!  So it looks like I may be going alone, flying up there and staying with some of my birth family.  That way we would not need as much money.  Although, it is sad to go way up there and NOT attend the Bristol race which occurs Aug 18th.  I guess we can plan another trip up there next summer and attend that race then, God willing!  

Adopted - War Babe - Part 16 - Getting to Know my Bio Family and Planning a Trip to Meet Them

I continue to text a few of my bio family. My half brother, Tim, my cousin, Robin and Deb (sisters) my uncle Don and my uncle Rick.  It is fun getting to know them as real people!  Also, they keep sending me pictures of family members.  I am more grateful than they will ever know that they are doing this!  My husband and I are trying to plan a trip to meet many of my bio family in August.  We are huge NASCAR fans too, and so one of my bucket list races is the night race in Bristol, Tennessee.  We cannot travel that far and NOT go to that race, which by the way is in August!  We are still trying to work out the logistics of the race and visiting my bio relatives however, so we aren't quite sure when we will be there.  BUT, the race is the night of August 18th, so for sure we will be there for the race at that time. Just not sure if we will go to Kentucky before or after the race!  I am getting very excited for both reasons!  I cant wait to meet everyone, although since we don't seem to be able to stay on a Saturday, not sure we will get to see everyone since they work and we just may not be close enough to where they live to see them.  That makes me sad, but it is what it is.  Money and time away are the issues here!!
Here are some of the pictures I have been blessed to have:

My birth father is on the far right, and the rest of these great folks are my Uncles and an aunt. All but the back two are gone now.  Uncle Don and Uncle Rick. 

These folks are my grand parents!  Not sure which boy is with them, but I am told I look very much like my Granny Tackett! :)  That does make me smile!

Adopted - Part 15 - Getting to Know My Bio Father's Family

This past few weeks have been a sort of roller coaster of emotions and feelings. If you are adopted and are "in reunion" as the term goes, you will know exactly what I mean.  I am grappling with the feelings of excitement and astonishment about how much my bio father's family is accepting me.  They all seem as excited as me that I have appeared and want to find out about me as much as I want to find out about them. 

 On the other hand, I have discovered that (as I have mused before) I have really hurt my Mom.  She is still grieving the passing of my Daddy.  It has only been a year.  I have completely quit sharing things with her, even though I have always told her everything, even with the objection of other close family and friends. I haven't even shared with her the picture that I have of my birth parents being together, the one I shared here in the last post. 

I am also dealing with my husband's disinterest. I won't go into his story, but he has never been very close to his birth family and just doesn't get my excitement or my needing to find my roots and what my bio family is like. Consequently, I have just shared some basic information with him.  

I feel that I am overwhelmingly lucky to have a bio family that is excited to hear and see all of my discoveries.  Such as this picture of myself at about 17 and one of my bio father's nieces at about the same age.  

Don't know about you, but we can sure see the resemblance!   

I want to try and explain to those of you reading this that may not be adopted.  I have found a passage in a book I have been reading that explains MY view on my search for answers.  This is a perfect way to say it, in my humble opinion!

Again, I want to say, that this is my feeling exactly.  It does certainly baffle me that people dont understand the need for adoptees to know their biological relatives.  It truly has nothing to do with feeling any lack of love or lack of needing ANYTHING within my adoptive family! Maybe I am in the minority, but with the location of this passage in the book, Almost Home a memoir by Hilary Harper, I think that maybe I am not. 

Getting back to my title, I am for real getting to know my bio relatives.  Several of them have been sending pictures of my birth father, Russ, as well as pictures of many of my uncles, aunts, and cousins. In fact, there are so many, that I am having trouble even remembering who belongs to who!  Having great-grandparents that had two brothers who married two sisters, gives their kids all as double cousins.  On top of that, one of my great-uncles who was the son of one of the daughters of those two families, married another woman with the same last name who was also a distant relative.  That leads to even more and more cousins and once removed etc etc.  I think I went over earlier in this blog where in Ancestry it shows over 1000 4th cousins and closer!  I come from a family of three uncles, three aunts and 8 cousins, so can you see where this is completely overwhelming for me!!???  

One of my uncles and I have been exchanging Marco Polo's with each other.  This is quite helpful in getting to know the person that is so much more personal than just typing on a computer.  His wife has also participated with this even showing a Marco Polo of a family gathering this past weekend.  It is fun to try and sort out who is who from pictures.  Then I need to figure out relationships as to who belongs to who!  I am pretty sure I will have all this down some day. Yes, someday!  

Adopted War Babe - Part 14

Well, I haven't written in a while.  I learned that my Mom was extremely upset over my blog.  We lost my Dad just exactly one year ago, and I know that she is grieving over him after being married 70+years.  I had been letting her read my blog, which, in hind-site, was a bad decision.  She just doesn't understand my need for finding my heritage, learning all about my birth family.  I guess that she is afraid that she has lost me to them?  I am not sure, but it isn't the case at ALL.  I had an awesome upbringing and my parents support me and have supported me both emotionally and monetarily any time I have needed it. I read about many adopted people who had a questionable upbringing, a lack of bonding with their adoptive family.  I NEVER had any of that at all.  I am completely and totally bonded with my adoptive family and always will be.  I can't seem to say that enough to her.  She keeps saying that she is glad my dad has passed so that he doesn't have to hurt like she does!  That totally hurts me that she thinks that way.  I have always confided in her, to my determinant in many ways, but I always have. I have decided to NOT share any more of my blog with her or in any places where she can read it, like on my general Facebook page.  I am only sharing my blog with some of the sites I have been working with, such as DNA Detectives, DD Social, and the adoption sites that I belong to.

That being said, I received the BEST thing today!  I woke up this morning to Daylight Savings Day and a message from the step-daughter of my suspected birth father, Russell Tackett.  She had gone to her mom's place (who was Russell's second wife) and they had found a picture that Russ had kept.  Here is the picture.

If you look closely, you will see the word Russ across his chest, and the word Lis under her chin.  Her name was Elisabeth, but she went by Liz or Lis.  I found my birth father through DNA testing just recently, but this pretty much assures that it was him.  This picture was taken when he was stationed in Germany.  He had sent home pictures from his deployment to his mom.  I think this might have been one he sent to her, not sure.  If you have read my blog, you will know that after he found out she was pregnant, he was deployed back to the states.  His story he only apparently told one person.  He said that she refused to come with him.  Her story is different.  She told my adoptive parents that he said he would send for her and he never did.  She told ME that he had offered her some money to take care of it. (I am thinking now that maybe instead of abortion it may have been to help take care of her expenses)  Whichever story it is, they never saw each other again.  

When I received this photo, I didn't notice that it said Lis on her picture.  So I put the only picture I have of her when she was young (about 16 here) next to the picture of them to be sure it was the same person.  What do you think?  I think for sure it must be her.  Too many things that look alike and then there is the name too.  

I feel incredibly blessed and so very lucky to be one of the few adopted people that actually has a picture of my birth parents together!   I just can't explain to those of you who are NOT adopted what that means, but it is so COOL!  If you are adopted, then you may know or hope to know what that feels like. 

I also received another picture of him by himself sent by his step daughter.  I feel like DAMN, he was so handsome!!  but my adopted Daddy was so handsome as well!  What a lucky girl I am!!

This is Russ

This was my adopted Daddy.  :)