Some great news: Polly's family found her!!

[5thGenDemocrat]

Longtime DUers know that my SO's name is Polly. Those who've REALLY paid attention would also know that she was adopted out when she was six months old (in 1951). Her adoptive parents were very nice, if Republican (dad was a banker, mom a housewife), and Polly had a solid, middle-class, middle-American upbringing.
But, like all adoptees, she wondered about her birth family. She knew their name was Patterson and that they were from Saginaw, but that was all. Patterson is a very common name, no more so than here, and all our attempts to track them down (and we've made several) came to a dead end.
Until last night.
Flipping through the junk mail folder before going to bed, I spotted a note titled "Adoption: Polly." The text mentioned Polly's birthdate and place and the "Patterson" surname and asked whether that could be her.
It could be, indeed.
Was she interested in contacting the sender -- her sister, Peggy? Oh, yeah. And Polly and her newfound sisters Peggy and Patty and Mary Ann are all getting together for lunch Thursday. Hey, it's still two days off -- but Polly has waited 54 years, so what's another 48 hours?
What we've learned in the last twelve hours: Polly (nee Linda Ann) is the seventh of eleven kids. Her mother is still alive and in a nursing home about 15 miles from here. And all the kids, interestingly enough, still live within 50 miles of here and five of them live right here in Saginaw.
Well, that's about it for now. Needless to say, Polly is very excited about this new development and I'm nearly as excited about it as she is. She's been way overdue for some good news and damned if this isn't it.
We'll keep you posted.
John
BTW, Polly's daughter is red-headed. Polly's sister is also red-headed. I personally can't wait to see some pictures.

[MissMillie]

1. What a beautiful story

Thank you for sharing. I am so happy for all those involved. A new addition to the family is always nice, but now your family just got 10 of them, and a mom too... very cool!

[Lavender Brown]

2. That is really awesome

:)

[Heidi]

3. Congratulations, Polly!

As an adoptee, I'm truly happy for you. (However, the statement, ". . . like all adoptees, she wondered about her birth family," is a generalization and isn't true of all of us.)

Heidi (also redheaded)

:pals:

[bigwillq]

4. That's such great news!

Great story! :hi:

Best of luck to Polly and her family!

[5thGenDemocrat]

5. I should mention Polly was already asleep when I got the note

I woke her up out of a sound sleep and told her "POLLY -- COME HERE AND LOOK AT THIS!!". I'm sure she thought it was going to be another kitty picture.
John
It wasn't -- though it did involve quite a litter, as it happened.
ON EDIT: Yes, Heidi -- of course I should've said "some," not "all." I'm prone to hyperbole, never more so than just now, I guess.

[Patiod]

6. Cool! Been there myself - pretty traumatic (in a good way)

Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster ride.

Tell her to PM me if she wants to chat with someone who has been through it, and would be happy to listen!

[5thGenDemocrat]

8. Patiod

Got your PM. I'm sure Polly will be checking in after the big event.
John
Thanks for the advice, too. Polly will be sure to take copious notes.

[uppityperson]

7. That is really good news. Congratulations!

[nini]

9. that's great...

I can't imagine being in her shoes, but I'm sure it will help resolve many issues for her.

I hope all goes well and she ends up with good relationships with her new 'family'.

[davsand]

10. Wow. That is just awesome news.

Polly is due a good break. I am so very glad for her and for her "other" family. I'm sure it will be highly emotional, but I also know that Polly has some pretty good support from you, John.

Brightest Blessings to you all, and I hope it is all she's ever dreamed of.


Laura

[5thGenDemocrat]

11. Hi Laura

Hope all's well with you and Kev and Material Girl.
Polly's sister told her she's been trying to track down the sibs for 40-plus years. Polly was the last one to be located, so I'm sure it's a happy day all the way around. And I'm happy for all of them!
John
I've got four sibs myself. Sometimes I wish I knew a couple fewer of mine (that, of course, is a joke).