I want to offer my very best to all that are searching for their natural families. I am an adoptive mother who has hidden nothing from the young man that he now is.

The story was told to him each and every day about his natural family (as much as we knew) and grew with him until he knew everything by the time he was 9.

Age nine was very important because he had his sex education at school and was probably wondering why we had told him nothing about his natural father.

We knew very little and I wasn't prepared to lie and give him a false name and even at this tender age he could understand why we had said nothing previously.

Alison gave us the most wonderful gift, her first child, and we love her for that. Alison had asked that his adoptive parents name him so we chose Timothy.

Timothy became 18 on 8 September and on 14 September he went and saw his file. He came out of the office with an armful of cards, both Christmas and birthday - all with caring and loving messages she had written to him.

A letter expressing how she had felt when the Social Services had told her they thought they had lost his file was also enclosed, along with a book of poetry entitled "Thinking of You".

Timothy's 3rd September meeting had been cancelled and I think it was fate because his 18th birthday card from Alison came the day before the next meeting.

The best part of all is that it has her address and phone number on the back.

She has expressed a desire to be a part of his life and that is what she has always been and will continue to be.

I have never known Timothy write a letter so fast. It hasn't been sent yet because he wants to choose the photographs himself he wants to give to her.

The Social Services have written a letter to Alison to let her know he has received his file.

I help adopted people find their parents and it is taking a lot of strength and resolve to hold myself back from getting in touch with her.

I want to talk to her, thank her, tell her all about the son we share, meet her, cry with her and hold her.

It will all have to wait until Timothy has taken the first steps and he gives me the OK to do my bit for him and her.

I just look to the future and hope that everything turns out wonderfully for all concerned.

If anyone wants to get in touch with me to ask any questions do feel free to email me.
Joan