52 Pieces of Me Part 3

I am adopted. I was born in San Diego on June 19, 1949 at the Door of Hope. My birth name was Patricia Ann Williams. Seems odd doesn’t it. Now I am totally someone different. Anyways, I was adopted at the age of 6 weeks to a wonderful couple, Joe and Fern Hann. I found my birth mom in the mid ‘90s and the ironic thing is that the sister she was staying with right before she went to the Door of Hope was named Cheryl. Also, I have a brother – Gary in my adopted family and a brother Gary in my birth family. 2 brothers named Gary, go figure. Heck the reason my mom named me Charyl with an “a” is so that both Gary and I would have “ary” in our names.

We had an 8 year old neighbor boy who announced my arrival in style. Albert went door to door all over the neighborhood telling everyone that the Hann’s have a new baby.

My birth mom said she had a hard time turning in the relinquishment papers and held on to them for about 6 weeks. She had been assured I would be adopted quickly. Guess that they were right since I was placed that same week.

Being adopted has never been an issue for me. I have always known and accepted it. My parents read me a book when I was little called the Chosen Baby. I grew up thinking my parents had gone to the baby store and walked up and down the aisles checking out all the babies and picked me because they thought I was the best one. How is that for a self esteem boast.