Imagine looking into an aquarium of tropical sh, the only distraction in a small waiting room. I’m holding Warren, my four-month-old baby, and I know that any minute someone is coming to take him and give him to his new adoptive parents.
He holds out one chubby hand towards the colourful sh and smiles. Five minutes later, he’s no longer in my arms and that is my last memory of my baby boy – a memory that must last a lifetime.
As an unmarried mother with no help from family or Warren’s father, no at, no job and no nursery place, I had no choice but to give him up. Despite everything I’d tried to keep him, adoption was the best thing for my son.
As I shared with readers in 2020, I never got over that loss, not even with three other children later, wonderful grandchildren and eventually becoming a successful novelist. I had an internal wound that nothing could heal. Until last year.
Breaking away
Regular readers may remember that last August I wrote about tracking down my long-lost family. To recap for those who don’t know the story, my Irish mother died when I was three, and I had no contact with her family until 1962, when I was 17 and visited them in Roscommon. But when I became pregnant with Warren 18 months later by a man in England, I was sure that as Catholics they would see an illegitimate child as a grievous sin. Ashamed, I hid away from them – and from my father and stepmother. In 1965 my name was changed by marriage and I moved many times, eventually divorcing, marrying again and settling down in Bristol.
この記事は Woman & Home UK の April 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Woman & Home UK の April 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
A New Normal - The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
The Princess of Wales has always felt the pressure. Marrying into the most famous family in the world has been far from easy, but capable Catherine seemed to take it in her stride.Though the glamorous carapace, whether decked in Alexander McQueen or Zara, has hidden a more anxious young woman who didn't want to put a foot wrong. This past year has arguably been the toughest of Catherine's life - dealing with major abdominal surgery followed by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. But it has also given her the time to reprioritise and reassess what really matters.
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks