We Thought Our Mother Abandoned Us—Until I Heard My Adoptive Mom Say, “Everything Went According to Plan”

was happening, the adoption had gone through.

“I begged to at least send letters,” she said. “I was told it would be up to your adoptive parents.”

She looked down at her hands.

“I wrote anyway.”

Every birthday. Every Christmas. Every first day of school she imagined.

She never had more children.

“I didn’t stop being your mother,” she said. “I just had to continue reading …