Dear One,

I write this to you that you might know I have been looking for you for many, many years.

You were born 01-22-1966 at the Salvation Army Home for Unwed Mothers in Richmond, VA, . . . and I roomed with your birthmom before and after she went there to give birth to you. I shared the pregnancy of you with your mom as her roommate; and I shared the loss of you with her when she returned and was without you.

I write to you because you are named for me by your mom at your birth. You are my namesake and I have never forgotten that your mom did this to honor hers and my friendship without even telling me until she was home though I learned she had planned it all along. This was a total surprise and still touches me inside to think about that.

I am not in contact with your mom now, not for many years, many many years; but, I did know her relatively well as a person in her youth and young adult life. I know a chance to see YOU would so much remind me of her with no doubt at all and an instant remembrance for me of that warm-friend, feeling that was part of her persona.

A note to add here: When your mom returned back to our room and was my roommate once again, I was terribly anxious as to how she may have been treated during this most precious and special time of childbirth. Had she suffered treatment unkind or less than tolerable? Had she been emotionally or mentally taken advantage of. Over the future months, I questioned her again and again, my apprehension for my friend never satisfied that she was with gentle people during that time. Your mom consistently and faithfully reassured me on innumerable occasions that at The Salvation Army Home for Unwed Mothers she received nothing less than tender and emotional supporting care and concern from her maternity caregivers. Even on occasions, she was somewhat startled by it all when she would express it. She was not one to expect kindness or a-giving from others but she found the true ones were the attendants there who cared for HER. Me, myself, to this day I cannot pass by a metal, Salvation Army donation receptible without donating my pockets' change. I still do this because of you and your mom.

If in the darkest of the starless nights, you or someone who knows you, gets this message. I would praise The Eternal One for a chance to hear from you.

Your Ever Faithful Admirer and Namesake,
Marie

P.S. Your mom's name is JENKINS and she had beautiful red hair.