Anyone here adopted? Weird thing happened last night.

[croc_]

I was sitting on my computer listening to music or playin games and I get this msg on AIM from someone. She typed in all caps and spelled my name wrong (Jarod instead of Jared). At first I was thinking it was some random person who got my screenname off some website or forum. Then she told me that she was my Grandmother. Well both my Grandmothers are dead. Then before I could say anything she told me that she was my BIRTH Grandmother (I am adopted), and that she has been searching for me online and found out that I worked for Kaminari. She had sent me an email through the Kaminari website (which was eaten by my spam filters) on Sunday and somehow managed to find my AIM screenname. So I'm sittin here kinda freaked out not knowing what to think or say. At first I thought it was someone joking with me, but she started saying things that I knew nobody else would know. Fast forward, she gave me the phone number to my BIRTH mother in Washington (state). She told me I should call her. Then I kinda freaked out and told her I had to goto bed, which was true, 1:30am and I had to get up for work at 6:30.

So ... I have never really met my birth family, I met my great grandparents once when I was 11 and talked to my birth mother once on the phone. I don't really know what to say or anything, I'm kinda scared to call.

[primesuspect]

I'm not adopted, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. But here it is: If you feel that you should call her, then call her. If you feel that you shouldn't, or don't want to, then don't. You don't have to call her just because someone told you to.

[maxanon]

I agree with Prime. Call only when you're comfortable. Just as a caution, you most probably will be getting more e-mails/msgs. Just be prepared for it.

[croc_]

I'm not adopted, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. But here it is: If you feel that you should call her, then call her. If you feel that you shouldn't, or don't want to, then don't. You don't have to call her just because someone told you to.

Yeah, I know .... I just wanted to share what happened because .... well .. it was strange and ... IDK just felt like I needed to get it out.

[Nomad]

That is perhaps the weirdest story to grace the interweb. :hiding:

[TheBaron]

msg on AIM from someone ... she was my Grandmother.

you have a grandmother that knows how to use a computer? thats a miracle in and of itself

[croc_]

you have a grandmother that knows how to use a computer? thats a miracle in and of itself

Not only that, she knew how to track me down using search engines. Pretty amazing huh?

[Nomad]

Your grandmother wouldn't happened to be a friendly chap named Sherlock Holmes.

[DOSMAN]

You have a great opportunity here. I think you should go for it.

What is there to loose?

[Jengo]

Well, i would call her but. she probably wouldnt mean as much to me as my adopted family would. they raised you. they are your real family.

its kinda confusing and all... but i dunno...

[croc_]

Yeah, I have spoken to her once before when I was younger ... 11 I think. Its not really a question of if I should call her, it was just kinda .... weird? Just shook me a bit, caught me off guard.

[mmonnin]

Not only that, she knew how to track me down using search engines. Pretty amazing huh?

Thats exactly what I was thinking.

[Dexter]

I was adopted, and so was my brother. (We are not actually biological brothers, which I used to joke was the one thing that kept me sane through my childhood. ;) )

I've never had any overwhelming desire to search for my birth parents or their family. However, if someone contacted me, I would at least speak with them, and see if there is enough interest on both parties to forge some kind of relationship. However, my parents as I know them, Mom and Dad who loved me enough to raise me and put up with my crap and teach me some values and buy me my first computer....they are my parents, and nothing / no one will ever change that.

My wife, coincidentally, was also adopted. She has always been more curious about her birth parents, and has done some searching. The state she was born in sealed all adoption records before a certain year, so hers is locked up. I think if she had some hard info, she would make first contact.

In your case, like others have said, do what feels comfortable for you. Personally, I would not just cold-call my birth mother because my birth-grandmother gave me her phone number. That would just be too...uncomfortable. I would say to birth-granny: hey, here's my e-mail address, have her write to me. Start with correspondence, then move to a phone call or meeting at a time when you are both comfortable and ready for that.

Dexter...

[primesuspect]

Yeah maybe email is a better medium than a phone call for the beginnings of communication....

[DOSMAN]

And if she calls you, you don't have to pay for the long distance...

/me is always thinking of the financial side

[bothered]

Very tricky. As prime said, I'm not adopted so have no idea how this feels to you. I think if I was in that position I would make contact because if I didn't, in years to come, I would probably be haunted by the 'what ifs' You obviously love your family and they you, that'll keep you safe.