Those of us fortunate enough to know our mothers can be thankful for the opportunity to get to know, live with, and to share memories with the woman who gave us life. A mother is a person who can never be replaced in a person's life, though the exact nature of the mother is up for debate. Many people argue that the person who gave birth to us is our mother, whereas others say that this is the role of the woman who raised us.
Regardless of the meaning of the word itself, there's no doubt that knowing who one's birth mother is is an important part of life. Many adopted children, no matter how happy they are, still seek out this woman to thank them for their sacrifice.
This young America's Got Talent contestant is just one of many young people who have mustered up the courage to discover the identity of their birth mother.
Now, another woman who was abandoned as a newborn 25 years ago is looking for her birth mother.
As a mother herself, Kathleen O'Shea wanted the opportunity to meet this woman. She isn't angry or upset — she just wants the chance to know who she is! She even posted a message on Facebook for any help she can get.
Please SHARE if you're thankful for being able to know and love your mom!
Kathleen's heartfelt Facebook post reads:
"[OK], so I'm literally shaking writing this post. It's taken me a good 25 years to do this.
"I looked up a couple articles when I was a freshman in high school, curious as to the truth behind my story. Part of me couldn't believe my mom and part of me couldn't believe my birth mom.
"I get the same, typical questions: 'Don't you hate her for leaving you?' 'Why would you want to meet her?' etc. Well, for one, I have the utmost respect for my birth mother, considering she carried me, birthed me, and left me somewhere, knowing I'd be safe.
"And two, why wouldn't I want to meet her?"
"Here's my story:
"First of all, my name is Kathleen Ann O'Shea and as far as I know my birthday is June 18, 1991. My first real name was Jane Doe, real original they were down at social services.
"My birth mother left me in Baystate Medical Hospital, in the ladies room. I was found June 20, 1991. Less than 10 days old. I have never met her, nor do I know anything about her. All I know is, she was a minor as they did not release her name in any article.
"She DID turn herself in, if my memory is correct, as a previous article stated that I read back in 2007. I can't find that article anymore."
"I have two kids. So technically, if you're reading this, or ever do, you have two grandchildren. I gave birth to both of them at Baystate. I have a 3-year-old, Chevy Allen, and a 4-month-old, Olivia Margaret.
"I do have an adoptive mother. She adopted me when I was 3 months old. She's all I've ever known. I also have two siblings — a sister and a brother, also adopted."
"I've been putting this off for years and years, putting this out there. I don't really know what took me so long, I guess the fear of the unknown; what if she doesn't want to meet me, what if she has a family of her own as I do, and I'm tucked away in her memory? Or worse, what if she's not even alive?
"It's hard even going to the grocery store. Sometimes, if I notice a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes and a big head, I wonder if it could possibly be you, we make eye contact, you don't even know who I am, and we go about our lives."
"Now that I'm a mother, and have a wonderful family of my own, I truly understand the heartache and decisions you must've gone through. I don't resent you, or hate you, or hold anything against you. I guess, well, I'm just curious in a way. If you cross my mind every day, then I'm hoping I cross yours every day. I guess I just want to see what could possibly help fill the void of not knowing.
"SO — now that I'm done with my emotional babbling, can you please SHARE this!? I'm hoping to find my birth mother. If anyone has any tips, ideas, or knows anything or anyone, please contact me! I'm finally putting this out there and I just can't go on not knowing. Maybe the power of social media will work in my favor.
"I'm still local and live 20 minutes from Springfield. This has to reach out somewhere, someone knows something! Please help!"
Kathleen's message has now been shared thousands of times. Watch the video below, and please SHARE to help reunite this woman with her birth mother!
