Ready, Set, Go!

So, the ball is rolling.  I've been in contact with KBS (Korean Broadcasting System) regarding going on their live TV program where adoptees make a plea for their birth family to come forward.  I have a pre-interview scheduled, and then hopefully, I will get on their TV show.  I've met several other adoptees that have been on the show or are going to be on the show, and I've heard the questions they are asked, and now I'm trying to answer them for myself.

They will ask me questions like:  Do I have birthmarks?  What kind of child was I? Why did I come to Korea?  How long have I wanted to find my birth mother? They will ask about siblings?  What I want to know from my birth mother? How I  will feel if nothing comes from being on the show?

Most of the questions are easy to answer.  Yes, I have a birthmark on my right thigh.  I was a wonderful child (isn't that what you were going to say, Jeff?)...I had a wonderful childhood.  I've come to Korea to learn about the land of my birth, learn the culture, meet the people, and a very happenstance (that's my mom's word), is that I have met so many awesome adoptees.  We have a connection that's hard to explain.  I've wanted to find my birth parents since I was a teen, but didn't think it was possible.  What do I want from my birth mother...now that's a more difficult question.  I want to meet her, to see if she's healthy and has had a good life, to see if we look alike.  I want to know if she's short like my mom or taller like me.  I'd like to find out the circumstances that caused her to give me up for adoption.  I'd like to thank her for that incredible sacrifice, because I've got a really great life, and because I am a mom and couldn't imagine giving up one of my precious babies.  And if possible, I'd like to stay in contact with her, maybe meet the rest of my birth family and relatives. 

Many years ago I thought about trying to find my birth mother.  I mulled every scenario and came up empty handed.  I have no information about my real name.  All I have is the city where I was found, Wonju.  The place where I was left, an old folks home.  And, the approximate date I was found, sometime around September 10.  I know I was taken to a nearby missionary hospital to be checked, missionaries called my dad, and the rest is history.   The day, month, year and hour of birth are very important to Korean people.  I don't know the day or the hour...but maybe my birth mother, if she is still living, will be able to tell me that.

So, again, it's not what you know, it's who you know.  I've been in contact with a woman who is friends of the producer of the adoptee show on KBS.  She has left a message or two for her friends to get me on the show before I leave.  Her connections got another adoptee who was here only two weeks, on the show before she left.  I hope her pull is as strong  for me as it was for her.  Yesterday, she called me and said she had some perfume she to give me for her friend at KBS.  She said if I don't hear from KBS in a week or two, I should call and having this gift would be a good excuse to see the producer.  Crazy, huh. 

Well, I'm excited and nervous, and hopeful.  I have a glimmer of hope about something I never dreamed was possible.  It's pretty exciting.  More to come.