Today I celebrated my 26th birthday. Unlike other birthdays I managed to find myself in the living room rummaging through correspondence letters betwe

Today I celebrated my 26th birthday. Unlike other birthdays I managed to find myself in the living room rummaging through correspondence letters between Sister Leonora and parents of Bangladeshi children to be adopted. But, better then that, my adopted parents where in the room. This is the first in HISTORY of our family that we were able to do this. To read through papers together and converse amongst each other. It was quiet uncomfortable for me, I wanted to cry to pray and to wonder out loud, but I held all of that in because my parents were visible.

So many mixed emotions tonight, I believe that my parents felt the same way. They knew deep in their hearts that I would eventually take great interest in my adoption and my background.

I read about my first five teeth and about how I was the “runt” of the litter, per say. At one point Sister Leonora was worried that I would catch cold and would not be strong…she wrote “…I worried because when she (Munni) was very small I worried she would catch cold, but she is getting stronger. She has five teeth and her hair is starting to get curly.” In Aug. of 1982 she wrote “Some of the older babies were playing with toys on the floor and Munni was watching them. She gives you such a big big smile, that you can’t resist picking her up. “I took this picture at the baby center she was really laughing. She is a very happy baby and I think she is very bright”. I also read that when we woke up in the morning we were feed Suji, rice, dal chicken, egg and vegetables.

I learned I was involved with a group called Sisters of the Holy Cross Apostolate Abroad, I don’t know who they are or what their organization does, but I will be researching! I learned I pretty much owe a TON to Sister Leonora and a woman named Mindy. Also to Mother Teresa who fought for all 22 of us in Bangladesh, and other orphaned children in Bangladesh.

I learned (I sorta already knew this) that my mother was most likely rapped. I came from Center for Training and Rehabilitation of Destitute Women. Nor do I know what this organization is, but again I will research.

When I finished looking at all the photos, all the cards and letters, I had so many tears stored up, but managed to keep them from flowing, until I walked in my parent’s bathroom to hug my mom. I told her what I said to my dad… “I love you and thank you for adopting me” But then something happened…and I could hold them back any more. I cried in her arms…and when I switched shoulders, for the first time I looked into the mirror and saw me in her arms. But I saw a brown person in a white persons arms…. for the first time I distinguished between her and I. I wondered how she could love a child that was not of her own flesh and blood, how she could look at me and call me beautiful when I did not look at all like her…

Other things have struck me, of how much God was in this from the very beginning. How much Sister Leonora and Mother Treasea and this women named Mindy prayed and prayed for us. Even now it has almost come full circle, as I gaze at a rosary recently given to me by a friend, how much God and possibly Mary with other Saints were watching and keeping all 22 of us. How they must have prayed and conversed with God as well. Amazing. The blessings that must have been prayed upon us every day….and the prophetic words spoken to us and upon us…..how do I know this….because of the letters that were sent to our families….mine was that I would reach people through my smile. In EVERY letter that was written about me there was always reference about my laughter and smile……

I pray that the other blessings and prophecies will be poured out on my life as well, and that some day I might return to a home that is so foreign to me. I know that I might get to reunite with Sister Leonora, that in itself is HUGE and maybe…just maybe I might get answers!

Until then I pray that my heart and soul be content with finding my identity in Christ alone.