Part 4 to My Story

July 4, 1990

I talked to Mom, Ruth, and she would not help me. She would give me no information. She said she doesn't know anything. However, she did say would not tell me if she did. She is very angry that I found out. She said knowing my medical history would only prolong my miserable life. I became angry and said my life was not miserable until a couple of weeks ago! She said for me never to bring the subject up again because she would never discuss it. I was so depressed after that. I did not leave the house for the holiday. I just sat around all day and moped. Jimmy returned from Boy Scout camp with Paul. He told the leader about my story. It happens that her husband, Cliff, is a bounty hunter. Cliff told Jimmy when I find a name he could find her for me. 

July 10, 1990 

I bought a Bible for Mom for her birthday. I began writing a letter and the longer I wrote the more angry it sounded. I read it over and suddenly in my heart I felt, "Karen, she is the way she is because she doesn't know Me." I tore the letter up and prayed, "Okay, Jesus, You write it for me!" He gave me the words to witness to her in the letter. He gave me scriptures for her to read. What started as a letter full of bitterness became a letter filled with the love that only comes from above.

July 12, 1990 

I called DHS to see if I could get any non-identifying information about my adoption. Elaine, a DHS employee, was intrigued with my story and said she would look. She does not normally do this for private adoptions. 

July 14, 1990 

I called Ruth to wish her a belated birthday as I could not get hold of her on the 13th. She immediately thanked me for the gift. She said she appreciated it very much. She said it showed a lot of thought. This coming from a woman who never appreciated anything I gave her before. What a miracle! 

July 16, 1990 

Jimmy got a belated birthday card from Mom and Dad. She wrote a funny note in it and also a very sweet birthday wish. This is a big step for my mother. Rosa Lee called Dr. Hubbard. She said she used to work for Dr. Gyles (true) and that she had her son at Hubbard Hospital (true). She said there was a real friendly woman that worked there named Shirley. Rosa Lee said she could jot remember her last name. It might have been Phillips? Dr. Hubbard could not remember anyone fitting the description. He put his nurse on the phone. She said, "Oh, yes. You're talking about Shirley Phipps!" I called DHS again. Elaine said the papers are in the mail but she can not confirm the name. Although Phillips is not quite right. I told her I know the name is Phipps. She said she could not confirm that. Then she told me about a reunion registry and said, "If you do register, be sure and give that name you have." Now I knew Phipps was right.