Gen Woodward dabbed the last bit of frosting on the chocolate cake, then placed and lit a single candle on top. “Happy birthday,” she sang quietly to herself, fighting back tears.
It was November 15, and like every year on this day for decades, the Concord, New Hampshire, mother of three boys was celebrating her daughter’s birthday— the little girl her parents had made her give up back in 1967, when Gen was just 17 years old.
“Put it behind you,” they’d demanded.
But while Gen did build a happy life—after high school, she opened a dance studio, got married and had three sons—her heart just couldn’t forget her baby girl.
I hope life is treating you well, she silently wished, blowing out the candle.
A search gone awry
Saying goodbye to her baby was the hardest thing Gen ever had to do. And she decided early on that she wouldn’t disrupt her daughter’s childhood, but she promised herself that when her baby girl turned 18, she would try to make contact. And in November of 1985, Gen asked the adoption agency to reach out to her.
In nearby Manchester, Nicole Claypool had long known she was adopted, and though she was loved and always made to feel special, she wondered about her birth parents. But when the call from the adoption agency came, she’d just been in a near-fatal car crash. Her body was mangled. “I can’t meet my birth mother now!” she tearfully told the agent on the phone.
Gen was heartbroken, but she clung to the hope that maybe someday her daughter would change her mind.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 16, 2023 من Woman's World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 16, 2023 من Woman's World.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Christmas morning marvels
Delight loved ones with prep-ahead breakfasts that are as delicious as they are easy to whip up
A Christmas list for love
While volunteering at a charity, Sharee Walker meets a charming 'Santa' with whom sparks fly as they bond over spreading holiday cheer
Veteran gives Christmas trees a second life!
Oscar Morris knows firsthand how disabled vets are hesitant to use a cane, but today more than 1,000 former soldiers get around with his special canes that aid balance and display the story of their service
"God's love is our greatest gift!"
From her breakout role as Winnie Cooper on the hit TV show The Wonder Years to authoring 11 acclaimed math books to being a wife, mother and the star of three holiday films this season, one would think Danica McKellar has success down to a science. But life has dealt her some outliers, like a tough divorce and a fear of failure. Here, how faith and family keep her joy-filled and stress-free during the holidays
"Help! The holidays are exhausting!"
Here, simple ways to boost your energy levels physically, mentally and emotionally
She lost 118 lbs at age 56!
Want to unlock your maximum ability to get lean in 2025? Then find a weight-loss app you like and use it on your phone, tablet or computer. Recent studies show the simple strategy can give you such a huge boost, you'll literally quadruple your results compared to dieting without an app. \"If you want to set yourself up for success, it really is the way to go,\" confirms University of Vermont's Jean Harvey, Ph.D., R.D., who has conducted exciting research on the approach. Meanwhile, California reader Debbie Ramos, 56, says she's living proof of how much apps can help. After struggling on every diet under the sun, \"I tried using an app, and it changed everything,\" she shares. \"I'm down 118 pounds so far.\" Keep reading for Debbie's inspiring story and to find the app that can help you most.
"I'm free of my chronic anxiety!"
After suffering from constant worry that impacted her physical and mental health, Joni Ogle, 52, discovered a natural remedy... and its calming effects soon completely changed her life
Indulge and feel great!
It's time to eat, drink and be merry! And these clever strategies will help you enjoy your favorite holiday indulgences without body backlash
Boost muscle and rev metabolism
Muscle strength naturally declines around 3% each year after middle age, according to University of Pittsburgh research. But simple strategies help counteract age-related muscle loss (known as sarcopenia) by building lean muscle. This boosts your metabolism and accelerates fat burning, all while increasing your strength!
Soothe arthritis aches naturally
Baking cookies with the grandkids, knitting a scarf for a loved one, wrapping gifts-it's the season for fun holiday activities...that may also cause arthritis to flare up. But you don't have to let sore joints stop you from enjoying the most wonderful time of the year. We reveal the easy ways to soothe arthritis pain naturally
