( Former Malakoff Resident Cara Taylor continues with the story of her Internet search for her birth family.)
The first time I met my brother Jason and my Aunt Joyce was Valentine’s Day, 2014. Aunt Joyce took one look at me and said, “Yep, you’re one of us.” I laughed, not sure how to take it, hoping it was good. Then she said, “If you know what’s good for you, you will run!” My curiosity was certainly piqued at this point. We sat down and looked over pictures that I had brought with me and talked about other family members. I don’t think they wanted to scare me too much but they told me that “Crazy” ran deep in our family. Well, knowing myself, I could believe that.
I was able to find my brother Allen by help of the internet also. Allen was the baby boy that my birth mother, Dianna, had given up the year after they gave me up. About 12 years before when they were expecting their twins, Allen’s wife Dana began an Internet search for our birth parents and found them! Dana had spoken at length with Dianna, our birth mother, and had had a very brief conversation with Jack, our birth father. Neither parent admitted any part of the story was true. However, after Dianna’s death, Jack’s memory seems to have improved a little. He told other family members he vaguely remembered giving up a son in 1966. He has since stated he has no memory of my birth by the way. What a difference that one year made, huh?
I haven’t met Allen and Dana yet, as Allen’s job keeps him busy on both coasts, traveling between work and time with his family, but we have talked many times on the phone. We were amazed to discover that both Allen and I had undergone the same problems with alcohol at a young age. We also had both experienced the same serious illness, in the same year (2001), with the same treatment that resulted in both of us being cured/healed. We hope we can visit in person soon.
After they had given Allen and me away, Jack and Dianna got married and had two more children. The first of these was Jannet. When we first met, I’m not sure which of us was the most surprised, she or I. She stepped out of her car in my front yard, walked up on the porch, gave me a hug and said, “You look just like my mom!” Her son, Devin has Down’s syndrome. He was with her, as well as her other son, Cade. Cade was half asleep in the car and freaked out when he woke up thinking his dead grandmother was standing on my front porch. Explaining all of this to Devin has been interesting. Each time I get to spend time with him we have the most awesome conversations. He tells me about his grandparents and tries to put all of this in perspective. I just know that I am a hit with him, because he says I cook good spaghetti, and that I’m pretty. Just meeting him has been worth all the searching. Not just because he boosts my self-esteem, but because he is an incredible person.
I haven’t met Cathy, the second child they kept, but I’ve spoken to her by phone a few times. She is in the Navy and lives in Virginia. When Cathy told me her birthday, I thought there was a little karma going on here. I had always wondered if Dianna thought of me on my birthday. I now think maybe she had to. Cathy’s birthday is April 20. Just one day after mine! But that was all. Jason is the son born to Dianna after she divorced Jack and remarried. His birthday is Dec 2. Dianna must have thought of the second baby she gave up every year as well, since he had been born on Dec. 3. Isn’t it funny how that worked out?
I still have two sisters I haven’t spoken to yet. I also haven’t spoken to my birthfather. I don’t know if I ever will but I know that whether or not I ever do, I have been given a wonderful gift of this new life with my new family. I would encourage anyone who is searching for their own roots to not give up. I’m glad I didn’t. I believe that all of our lives have been blessed by this discovery.
(Loretta’s note: Cara still hasn’t got to the some of the best parts. She’ll be back in a couple of weeks with the rest of the rest of the story.)