I recently experienced meeting my birth mother in person, and it has taken a huge weight off my shoulders that I had been carrying throughout my life. As a child, I had dealt with feelings of confusion, isolation and overwhelming abandonment issues when it came to friends and family. I was often afraid of being left alone for too long and I refused to let anyone get too close, leery of them losing interest in me. Although I am grateful for the opportunity of having a better life thanks to my adoption, I still am left with many “what-if” questions that will forever remain unanswered.