The Mothers Story Project: A Mothers Story

I was 16 when I was sent away to a Florence Crittenden home in Chamblee Georgia in 1958. I had my beautiful baby girl on April 1st and was allowed to have her with me for one week before the social worker came from Chattanooga to take her away. I am grateful to have had that week – especially after hearing of other mothers who were not allowed to even see their babies. 

I began searching for my daughter when she turned 18. That searched lasted 30 years. I found her two years ago. She does not want contact with me. 

Notes after reading The Other Mother: 
I just shed my first tears for my first born, my baby who was taken from me. At the time, I was numb - a shell of person - I felt nothing but a huge black hole in the center of my torso, like I had been shot through with a cannonball. But I did not feel sadness or grief. Just that aching numbness that never left. Never. Ever. 

I was told such lies, and at 16 I only knew what I was told. I believed them when they told me I was doing the best thing for my baby. I believed them when they said I would forget and just get on with my life. It was all lies - and I was only 16. They took advantage of my youth and naiveté. They lied. Over and over again they lied. I didn’t know enough to defend or speak up for myself, to ask for information, to demand respect as a human being. How could they do that? 

And I never understood why I was so depressed for years and years.  Finally I understand.