For the next month or so, True Stories Well Told is featuring writers I have met through First Monday, First Person, my “salon” for memoir writers held at the Pinney Branch Library in Madison.

By Kaye Morgan

I have two adult children.  My son, Ben, is the oldest and married to a beautiful and wise woman Julia, and they have two active and healthy girls, Elena and Eloisa. Ben is my biological child or a “homemade” child as they referred to it in adoption groups. Ben and his family live in Madison about 20 minutes from my home. My daughter, Sally, was born in India and came to our family through adoption. She is single and Trevor is her significant other. Sally lives in Washington, DC, but I visit her at least once a year and she comes to Madison several times a year. I also had a husband, Paul, who died last September.  Of all the accomplishments Paul & I would talk about, our adult children were at the top of our list. 

This is a very personal story.  It’s a letter to my children. It’s filled with hope and happiness.   I knew Father’s Day would be different this year for my children, so I did what Paul did for years:  I told them the story of how Sally came to live with us.  

Dear Ben & Sally,

Father’s Dad was never a big deal to Dad or me, yet I know this year will be different. Dad’s best work was being a dad and of course a husband! Every year he revisited the Father’s Day in 1980 when, at just nine months old, Sally, you came all the way from India and joined our family where we lived in Mosinee, WI.

Sally, we were so ready for you to join our family. When you were just two days old, our adoption agency gave us your picture and told us you were ours.  We were so excited and made final preparations for your arrival. We had your room ready, clothes laid out, and the diaper bag all packed for driving to Chicago to fetch you!

However, given red tape and canceled flights, you didn’t make it to Wisconsin as quickly as we’d hoped. I remember being told there were two flights out of Trivandrum (the capital of Kerala) and we would hear by mid-week if you were on one, and that you would arrive in Chicago on a Sunday. After many setbacks and hopes rising and then falling, we were told you were on a flight out of Trivandrum to Madras. Yay!  We didn’t think it would be long now. Unfortunately, you didn’t make the flight out of Madras. We were told you were in an orphanage and getting good care, but we felt so helpless and so very far away from you.

Father’s Day 1980 began as usual, but with a sadness permeating our souls. Ben, you were an active two-year-old, so after church we went to Mcdonald’s in Wausau where there was an indoor playland. We stayed there for a while, then went home to find something to keep us occupied. Once home, Ben, you decided to play outside with a zillion balls scattered all over the front yard. Dad was doing some work in the garage, and I heard the phone ring and went inside to answer it. I was shocked and beyond excitement! Our social worker was calling to say Sally was on her way and would arrive in Chicago about 9:00pm. I remember my first thought was that I hadn’t washed my hair that morning and I sure wish I had!  

We quickly picked up the balls and must have been a bit loud with our excitement because our neighbor, Connie Schanowski, came out of her house and we told her and she clapped and said, “Hurray!” We grabbed the diaper bag and our packed bags of clothes as we knew we’d have to stay overnight in Chicago. Off we went in our big Ford van with Ben fastened in his car seat in the middle seat, Dad driving, and me in the passenger seat up front.   I don’t remember what time it was when we received the call, but I do remember thinking, we don’t have much time to drive to Chicago!  

Dad did all the driving to Chicago and I don’t remember much about the drive, but we made it on time. When we got close to O’Hare, we started talking about you and what you would be like. Ben chimed in with, “I can’t kiss her lips because they’ll be too small!” Somehow, when he met you, he kissed you on your head and immediately got out diapers and things for you from the diaper bag!  

You went into my arms first and I remember feeling so thankful that you had made it and grateful for the many adults who cared for you and made it possible for you to be in our family. Dad held you too and when we got to the hotel, we changed you into one-piece pajamas, but I don’t think you closed your big brown eyes for very long during the night.  

We had conversations with our pediatrician about your coming and he had recommended a brand of formula which you had no problem with. At breakfast, our first morning as a family, you watched with big envious eyes as I ate my scrambled eggs. I gave you a small bite and you loved them. I didn’t give you much as I didn’t know what you would tolerate.  

I don’t have many memories of the trip back home to Mosinee, but the days and weeks that followed you showed us your beautiful personality, and Ben, you adjusted quite quickly to having a younger sibling.  

After waiting nine months for you, Sally, your arrival and adjustment seemed easy, and it was!  Our family was complete. We have loved you since the day we were given your picture and were told you were ours.  

Love to you both,

Mom  XO

©2023 Kaye Morgan

Kaye Morgan lives in Monona, Wisconsin, and writes about her life and family and other issues worth venting about!   Her two adult children are the best thing she has added to this world!