“After being given up for adoption when she was 7 years old, Susan turned to Catholic Charities as an adult and reunited with her birth family.”
“She had enjoyed a happy and secure upbringing with her adoptive family. But 50 years later, following the birth of her first grandchild, Susan began to wonder more about her own birth and the circumstances surrounding of her adoption.”
“She reached out to Catholic Charities Adoptions Division and learned about her birth mother, Ruth.”
“Ruth had been a 36-year-old widow who found herself struggling financially to raise and care for 5 children. So Ruth sought the assistance of Catholic Charities to place Susan, the youngest, for adoption.”
“The Adoptions Division was able to find her four siblings. Sadly, they shared that Ruth died many years ago without ever informing them about Susan.”
“Through the support and counseling of their social worker, Susan’s siblings agreed to communicate with her. Since then, the 5 siblings have all become good friends as well as proclaimed sisters.”
“Although Susan regrets never having the chance to meet Ruth, she has come to know her through countless pictures and stories. For her, the holiday season is now so much more meaningful when shared with a now larger, loving family.”
Families lives are changed every day thanks to the help of Catholic Charities, one of our 11 partner agencies. Click here to support their fantastic work with a donation to the Holiday Fund: holidayfund.org/give
Story taken from nj.com