Editor’s Note:
All children think about their birth parents, whether they are domestically or internationally adopted. These poems and letters, written to be placed in adoption agency files in Korea in the possibility that birth mothers might come to the agency to inquire about children placed for adoption, provide a glimpse into their thoughts. Names have been changed at the request of the authors.
Dear Birth Mother,
Hi it’s me, Allison. I am 9 years old. My mom and dad’s names are Sue and Jack. They are nice, very nice. My teacher’s name is Ms. Cooper. She is nice too. I have 2 pets, a fish and a crab. Every year, I go to girls camp. We do art, music, and other things. I like it a lot. I live in the U.S. I wish I lived with you a lot.
Love, Allison
Dear Mom,
Do you remember me? I’m Myung Hee. My American name is Melanie. Are you in Seoul still? America is good. But I wish I could see how Korea is. I always wonder about Korea. Why did you send me away? Didn’t you love me? Well, even though I don’t really know you, I love you. What happened to Daddy? How old are you? Do I have siblings? I love you!!!! I miss you. Please contact me.
Love Always,
Myung Hee, 10
To my Korean Mother,
Last week I turned 10 years old. In case you ever come to ask about me, I want you to know a little bit about me. That’s why I’m writing this letter to you. I’m in the 4th grade and my favorite subjects are Math, Science, and creative writing. My two best friends are Asian also. Two years ago, Anna, one of my best friends who’s also Korean, and I sang a Korean song in front of the whole school.
I often think about you, and I wondered if you ever thought about me. I have one older brother. His name is David. My American name is Leanna, but most people call me Nan. I often think about what I would do and how I would act if I ever met you. I have long talks with my mother and father about you and what my life would be like with you. I have many friends and I am very happy here.
My mother here is kind and I love her, but I want you to know that even though I never really met you, I love you too, and in my heart I will always have 2 mothers. If I ever got a chance to meet you, the very first thing I would want to do is sit down and have a long talk with you, for I would like to catch up on all the things that have happened to you and to me that we have missed. A little while ago, my mother found some information on you and on me. I’m good at sports, and I enjoy them. I think I got that from you! Well, if you ever get this letter, I hope you enjoy it and think about me. I hope to see you some day.
Love,
Lee Joo Ran
To My Birth Mother- A Letter Poem
From what I can remember,
You are a person I’ve never known.
You lived in my heart for all my life,
but still I’ll never know.
I dream about you every day,
dreaming of a life with you.
If I was with you right now,
I would hug you very tight
and ask you many questions
that would last all through the night.
Though I long to be with you,
I will never leave my home,
because I love these parents too much
to ever leave them alone.
Susan, 13
To My Birth Mother- A Poem
People are humming a sweet tune.
They are humming to God.
I hummed with them,
But I hummed a different tune.
I hummed Jesus I love you.
People stared at me.
Then Jesus came to me and said,
“I am taking care of your birth mother.”
I started to cry,
But God cheered me up.
I felt better about talking about it with you, God.
Julianne, age 17
From Adam, age 9, to his birth mother, Sherry
Dear Sherry,
Do you have any pets? We have 5 dogs and 3 cats. I take karate. I am the best at sparring in my division. I like to play sports. I’ve got a joke for you: It’s snowing. You go in a house. There’s a lamp, a stove, and a fireplace. You have a match left. Which one should you light first? (Answer on back.)
Here are some things I’d like to know: How tall are you? How old are you? What is your hobby? Are your neighbors nice? Do you play sports? Do you sew?
Love,
Adam
(answer to joke: the match)
Adoptive Families thanks the authors and Spence-Chapin, New York, New York, for permission to publish these letters and poems.
