Born and raised in Alaska, I was adopted into a big Italian family based out of california before I was even born. If your familiar with The Big Fat Greek Wedding you have some idea of the dynamics of my family :H I grew up in a little town just outside of Anchorage.
My heritage is half Alaskan Native and African-American, so having white parents was definably difficult to say the least for others at that time. It was the mid 80's and Alaska was for sure a little behind the times and it was considered taboo to have an interracial family. I can remember being asked why I looked different than my parents from other classmates. For an elementary kid responding to these types of questions let alone being subjected to racial inequality was confusing, and later disheartening when I was old enough to understand the reason why.
My adoptive mother made sure I knew that my biological mother loved me and wanted the best for me. At the age of 16 I had a chance to open my adoption file or to have it sealed until I was 18. I decided to wait until I was 18. I did know that I had some sisters but didn't know how many, and that they might reside in Anchorage which was just an hours drive away. I could have stood behind them in line at the movies or passed in the mall and wouldn't have known.
I would not return to my now open adoption case file until I was 24. I had completed college and returned to Alaska from Seattle ready to concur the world. Becoming a bartender was something I had always wanted to do and I was doing pretty well. My adoptive parents didn't drink at all due to religious motives, however there was always wine or beer at the dinners with the Italian side of the family in california. There was a sense of moderation though that always was indirectly present.
The day finally arrived where my friend convinced me to meet my biological family. After some digging we got in touch and ventured out to meet my four younger sisters and biological mother. This was a very defining moment and I think we went through every happy emotion out there! :l
I was happily blessed by this meeting however was still suffering due to the loss of my adoptive grandma that had been the foundation of the family.in Alaska. I could go to her for anything and she supported me at my worst and best. She passed away from cancer and it was quite painful to experience and go through. I choose not to deal with it but keep myself busy and preoccupied. My parents at the time were disappointed that I was in the service industry as i didn't abstain at all, quite the opposite. I would return home saturday morning and goto church still reeking of the booze from the night previous.
This quickly changed when I decided to move to Montana to start a new. I saw it as a motion to save and preserve the friendship of my family.
to be continued.........
My heritage is half Alaskan Native and African-American, so having white parents was definably difficult to say the least for others at that time. It was the mid 80's and Alaska was for sure a little behind the times and it was considered taboo to have an interracial family. I can remember being asked why I looked different than my parents from other classmates. For an elementary kid responding to these types of questions let alone being subjected to racial inequality was confusing, and later disheartening when I was old enough to understand the reason why.
My adoptive mother made sure I knew that my biological mother loved me and wanted the best for me. At the age of 16 I had a chance to open my adoption file or to have it sealed until I was 18. I decided to wait until I was 18. I did know that I had some sisters but didn't know how many, and that they might reside in Anchorage which was just an hours drive away. I could have stood behind them in line at the movies or passed in the mall and wouldn't have known.
I would not return to my now open adoption case file until I was 24. I had completed college and returned to Alaska from Seattle ready to concur the world. Becoming a bartender was something I had always wanted to do and I was doing pretty well. My adoptive parents didn't drink at all due to religious motives, however there was always wine or beer at the dinners with the Italian side of the family in california. There was a sense of moderation though that always was indirectly present.
The day finally arrived where my friend convinced me to meet my biological family. After some digging we got in touch and ventured out to meet my four younger sisters and biological mother. This was a very defining moment and I think we went through every happy emotion out there! :l
I was happily blessed by this meeting however was still suffering due to the loss of my adoptive grandma that had been the foundation of the family.in Alaska. I could go to her for anything and she supported me at my worst and best. She passed away from cancer and it was quite painful to experience and go through. I choose not to deal with it but keep myself busy and preoccupied. My parents at the time were disappointed that I was in the service industry as i didn't abstain at all, quite the opposite. I would return home saturday morning and goto church still reeking of the booze from the night previous.
This quickly changed when I decided to move to Montana to start a new. I saw it as a motion to save and preserve the friendship of my family.
to be continued.........
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