Finally we get some decency on television. Terrific episode of Law & Order: SVU tonight. (Adoption)

[StevieM]

Olivia allows Noah's biological grandmother to have a relationship with him. And he calls her grandma.

Best of all, Olivia acknowledged the importance of his only living link to his late biological mother Ellie. She didn't act like Ellie is irrelevant to his existence beyond the act of giving birth.

This shouldn't be a big deal. And in most other countries this would be expected. But here in the U.S. we don't exactly show a lot of respect to the importance of birth families. I am so glad to see a major show treat a first family with dignity.

[elleng]

1. Good to hear. I hope I'll see it some time.

My 30 year old daughter JUST met her father's birth family; found them through 'Ancestry,' they didn't know he had been born. He was one of 5 adopted children. (He died 3 years ago.)

The reunion this weekend was life-changing for them all.

[StevieM]

2. I am sorry that your husband died before he could meet them.

I have seen you write about your family before. Didn't you have more than one daughter? I hope all your husband's children have the opportunity to meet their blood relatives.

Was their dad's biological mother and/or father still alive?

[elleng]

3. Thanks. I'm not sure he wanted to meet them,

tho his adopted brother and a sister sought and found THEIR birth families.

Yes, I have 2 daughters, who are estranged. I'm about to inform my older daughter about this new find. I hope she takes it well, even tho it stems from her sister's quest.

His mother died some years ago, and his father has not been identified.

[StevieM]

4. Sadly, many adoptees from the Baby Scoop Era don't even realize the realities of the era

that they were born in. They don't understand the lengths to which our society went to push through an adoption when the mother was unmarried. Most of these women and girls had absolutely no choice back then.

I am glad that your husband's siblings met their families of origin. Reunions, while not without their challenges, can be a very healthy thing.

I am sorry that your daughters are estranged. I hope that some day they can work things out.

[elleng]

5. Thanks again, StevieM.

I know virtually nothing about his birth mother's life at the time, except she was in the Army; there are pictures of her.

For ME, rather removed from the story, the saddest part is thinking about how she felt about giving him up and not seeing him grow up. Her nieces and nephews recall how much she loved them, played with them, gave them gifts, and she always seemed 'sad.'

I hope to have a get together next spring for everyone at my home, and they'll not only visit with my daughter again, but look through the trunk of photos (and several albums) I have that include him.

[StevieM]

6. Never mind. (eom)