March 14, 2013

Okay. Okay.  I did it. Finally. And look! There is proof in that picture. March 14th, 2013 I drove to the Post Office and I sent my application  by CERTIFIED MAIL to the Office of Vital Records and Statistics in Salt Lake City Utah.
I had moral support. My husband had seen the envelope in our important papers binder as he was searching for information. He exclaimed, "You haven't sent this yet?!" I told him I was just looking for a good time to take it and to make sure we had enough money to pay for the postage. I knew I wanted to send it with a return receipt. That's what working in a law firm so many years gets you. You know about return receipts. My husband gave me three dollars to mail it.
We had errands to run. I brought it with us as we headed out to do our errands. We ran to a couple of places. It was sitting in our van. We met two friends for lunch. It was sitting on the middle console of our van while we visited and ate Mexican food. I dropped my husband off at home and my friend hopped in my husband's place in my car. We drove to the post office.
I walked in and grabbed that green return receipt card and attempted to fill it out. There was no pen. I walked into through the glass doors to the main postal room. There was a pen on the first table I came to. It did not work. I attempted one more time and the pen on the next table worked. I then walked up to the postal lady and gave her my letter. She pulled out the items she would need to prepare my letter to be sent. It was like being in a hospital room as they prepare for drawing blood. This paper and that paper and this stamp and this sticker. All the tools laid on her table ready for surgery.
I looked over everything and realized I had forgotten one step. I totally forgot that it would need to be sent CERTIFIED MAIL. Return receipt cards are always sent this way. I knew that would cost a little more. Thank goodness for a debit card to pay for the three more dollars and eleven cents.
 I took a picture when the postal lady stepped away from her table. She walked back when I was in the middle of the picture. She stated that a lot of people do that. I then explained why I was doing it. For a memory. I then briefly explained my situation. After hearing what I said she explained that she had a similar situation. But that she understood why her mother had never attempted to because her family had given her up. She did wish me luck.
But it's funny to me that so far the people that I've come across on this journey all have their own experiences in adoption and seeking a birth family. I just hope my journey has a happy ending that leads to a happy beginning.

March 4, 2013

So it's been over a week since I last posted. I've made progress. Little progress, but progress just the same. I got my Adoption Registry Application notarized  I also filled out the money order. I told you. Progress. But that is all I have done, so far. Until today! Today I addressed the envelope. Yes. I smile and pat myself on the back. Baby steps. Itty bitty baby steps. I have had the application and everything I needed in my car. All week long. I could have taken it right to the post office and sent it on it's way. The thought crossed my mind. But what also crossed my mind is I wanted a copy of the application. Also...a copy of my original birth certificate. So I brought the folder in the house. Where it sat. On a chair in my office. Until today. Just seconds from the time that I began this writing I made copies of both AND addressed the envelope. Well, that part took a second longer as there was a paper jam in my printer. After all that I am about to put everything into that envelope. I will see how long it takes for me to actually send it.
On a different note: When I went to my bank to get my application notarized I explained my story and why I needed the paper notarized. She told me she too was adopted. She personally never felt the need to seek out her birth parents. She thought about it herself. She said she thought about it every time she goes to the doctor and wished she had at least the medical background. She encouraged me in my journey. She even asked me to let her know what results I may have. The funny thing is I have never been to that branch before. Never laid eyes on this women, but she could relate and I welcomed the encouragement.
I understand that not everyone wants to know this information. I don't even know if any results will come back from my search. I may surprise myself and send this tomorrow. I'm heading up the hill and maybe, just maybe I will start to see over the horizon where the journey might take me.

Friday, February 22, 2013

I am starting this blog with the intention of starting an adventure. 2013 is going to be different for me. It already has felt completely different. And Friday was a change of events for me.
I have been contemplating being on this journey for a long while.I spoke to my dad about it and made sure he was okay with it before I even started looking. But it took years before I even made that small step.  My adventure started last year. I received the non-identifying information regarding my birthmother. It wasn't very much information, but it was significant to me.
Now to get on the Utah Mutual-Consent Adoption Registry you must fill out an application, get it notarized  send in a certified copy of your birth certificate and a money order of $25.00. For my birthday last year a friend gave me money order for the $25.00. I have kept it in the front of my thirty-one crossbody bag with my initial K on the front. I pull it out every once in awhile. Just to look at it. I keep thinking about it. And pulling it out.
As I said before Friday changed for me. It was after 5:00 p.m. my time, but it was still 3:00 p.m. Utah time. I decided to look up the number of the department I would need. I called and spoke to the first person that answered the phone. She gave me her email address and told me I would need to request the application. I emailed her and within five minutes I had the return email with the application attached. I filled out the application and printed it.
It is now sitting on my desk. I keep glancing at it. I cannot have it notarized until Monday. I keep eyeing it out of the corner of my eye. The beginning of the journey has begun.