Last Christmas was like no other, 
My first Christmas with my birth Father and Mother. 
My feelings and emotions were all in a spin, 
Was this a family that I'm welcome in? 



One year later and my feelings are a little better. 
To have a family again is a hard thought to put together. 
So many years have passed us by, 
There are still questions that begin with "Why."  



I don't know how much time I will get, 
To know the father and Mother I've recently met. 
My brothers and sisters are all so new, 
I want to know each and everyone of them, too.



Nieces and nephews, there's quite a few, 
Each of them has their special qualities, too. 
All of them are new cousins for my two sons. 
Will I ever get to know these young ones?



The in-laws or out-laws, or whatever you call them, 
Are part of this family and I want to know all of them. 
My husband is behind me as I head down this lane, 
But there are many thoughts and feelings that still remain. 



I'm told, I think to much about all of this, of course, 
I should just let go and let nature take it's course. 
I'm advised to forget this birth family of mine, 
After all they can't mean much after this short time.



To many people who never have known, 
What it was like to be adopted and roots unknown. 
To many people are to quick to advise, 
But not one has seen what I've seen through my eyes.


 
This is my family, my flesh and blood. 
I will not allow it to be drug through the mud. 
For better or worse there are things that we share, 
And I WILL NOT be told to forget and not care.



© Betty Schenk