Vintage...

Pictures mean more to an adoptee than anyone...the birth family may not care about pictures of the adoptee because they had moved on and had more children. The Birth Family can see their past, their present and their future in pictures. They can see that they are not the only one with a certain style of nose or smile. The adoptee has nothing if they never have children. They are alone in the big world. They search people’s faces on the street for similarities so that they can fantasize about belonging.

When you can’t have pictures you find words and articles. The adoptee wants...needs...to feel like they are not completely alone in the world. Something only another adoptee can truly understand. The kept children and family members know that if they ever want to know or see something from their ancestors all they have to do is ask another family member. Not so easy for an adoptee to do.

It would mean the world to an adoptee to receive pictures or mementos from their family for a Birthday or Christmas gift...the true meaning of ‘gift’ not being the gift of a person like the adoptee is so often reminded that they are.

One thing I love about this article. It shows that my Great, Great Grandfather knew right from wrong and he spoke up instead of looking the other way and keeping a secret.