My beginnings

When I was 5 years old, Mom and I were home, it must have been a ped day. Mom was a teacher. Mom was in the bath and I was watching TV. Adoption came up on the show I was watching, I was curious so I went upstairs to ask Mom what it was… I will always remember she was in the tub and I came in and sat on the toilet. "Mom, what's adoption?" 

Mom explained that it was when  a Mommy and Daddy can't take care of a baby so they give it to a family who can take care of the baby and love it forever.

I thought that was pretty cool. Mom had used the word chosen,adopted babies are chosen. I said "adopted babies are very lucky." 

"I am glad you feel that way, Janice, you are adopted." Mom told me.

She then explained that I was adopted at 7 months. Because after Mommy and Daddy had my brother, Ricky they had 5 other babies, but these babies were all sick and died in Mommy's tummy. The Dr said Mommy and Daddy would have to stop trying to have a new baby or Mommy could get very sick.

It was March, 1972 by the time my parents were approved to adopt. I was born on Feb 16th, 1972. They called the orphanage in Sept lies. The nun who they spoke to said there were no babies available. Why didn't the Nun tell them about me? 

You see, when I was born my little toes were touching and my knees pointed at each other. The nuns didn't think I would ever walk and they didn't think anyone would want the burden of raising a crippled child. My Mom and Dad kept hearing that there was a child in the orphanage and they kept calling… they were always being turned away. Finally come August My Dad call the orphanage when the Nun said there were no children  my dad said " I know there is a little girl there." "Yes, Mr Wigmore, but she will be crippled you really don't want this child you should wait for a healthy baby." My father insisted, "My wife and I want to see this baby, we have the means we can get her whatever she needs."

In September my parents went to visit me at the orphanage, When the nun brought me out I was wrapped in a pale yellow blanket. My Mom and Dad fell in love with me instantly. My big blue eyes smiled up at them. 

My Mom said "I don't care if she never walks, she is perfect."

I can walk today, my mom worked hard with me when I was little to turn my feet out. I could run and play with all the other boys and girls. I played baseball, volleyball, basketball,  I was a competitive swimmer and figure skater. 

God blessed me with my parents.

To Tell Her

They say "you don't know what you have until it's gone."
They say "life can change in a split second."
They say "tell those you care about how much you care before it is too late."
They are so right.
11 years ago I left Baie Comeau, Quebec on the great western adventure with my Aunt Mel, my Uncle John and their boys John and Andrew.
I was excited to leave Baie Comeau, I wanted to spread my wings and fly away from the comfort of the North Shore where I grew up.
I said goodbye to all my colleagues and friends. I was ready as I would ever be. Just one last thing, my friend and Executive Director, R, had invited me to have supper at a fancy restaurant. This would be our last meal together for a long time. There was so much I wanted to say to her. I wanted to thank her for the tireless hours she put in the North Shore Community Association. She had made my job, as president, so easy. I loved spending time with R, we would go to her beach house on weekends. We would raid her mother's garden, any chance we got. We loved to listen to music and dance around her house. She made me laugh and always knew what to say. I wanted to thank her, thank her for being my friend and thank her for letting me be hers.
I waited at the restaurant, that night, for an hour and a half past the time R should have arrived but she never came. I called my Mom, on my cell phone, and said "Mom, how long should I wait?"
"It's ok, Jan", she said" something must have come up. You can talk to R tomorrow." I left that restaurant knowing full well that I would be leaving the very next day for Alberta.
I have been back to the North Shore on many occasions in the last 11 years but I was never able to see R again. I would enquire as to how she was doing and get news here and there, but I never had that chance to sit down with her. I never gave up hope that someday I would be able to see her.
Tonight, I heard from an old friend that R passed away yesterday. I never will get a chance to sit with her, not in this world. I wish I had just one more day, to tell her....
I love you, Renae. You are now and always have been a beautiful angel.