My name is Julia and I was born in London 53 years ago.
The youngest of 5 children or so I was led to believe, until one day a phone call from my eldest brother Eddie, that was to change my life forever.

Hi Julia how are you? up until that moment I was fine.

He then asked would I be agreeable for our sister whom was adopted from birth to contact us, I was so shocked and bewildered, I kept saying over and over again don’t mess about, it’s a cruel joke!!!!

So my memories begin

My parents were happily married but mum always suffered from manic depression, after having 4 children she could not cope, when she

had her 5th child Annette, they had her adopted. Then 14 months later I was born and lucky for me I was not adopted.

I was never told about my sister. Mum and Dad died over 25 years ago so I could not ask them any question and any aunts & uncles only said your mum could not cope anymore.

A few days later I received a call from Annette, it was strange talking to her, we spoke for over 2 hours exchanging news and stories. She had so much to catch up with, but I was sure she would not like me as I was born after her. She so desperately wanted to meet her new family.

She was told by social services you only have one brother, when she found out she had 3 brothers and 2 sisters she told us it was an added bonus.

We agreed to meet one later week at my brothers house, Kenny also lives in Cornwall. Eddie travelled down from London, Peter and Joan were to meet her at a later date.

It was a Saturday morning 9.30 am, I was feeling sick with nerves, we heard her car drive up the lane, when she opened the car door and got out she ran into our arms, I just kept looking at her and thinking it’s my MUM. At one point I thought she might be an imposter, but she is definitely my sister.

We stayed together all day chatting, laughing, crying, it was so strange. She even bought her birth certificate in case we had our doubts.

It is now over 11 years since our first meeting. We don’t see so much of each other as we would like, only because I moved back to Milton Keynes.

I often wonder what Annette thinks of her new family. She is always so pleased when we get together or speak on the phone

She is so like our mum it’s uncanny, Annette has also suffered with depression.

My only wish is that she tried to find us when we were younger and when mum and dad were still with us. I know that would have made them very happy.

Annette is married to Steve and they have a son called John. Annette and Steve are trying to adopt a child and if anybody would be a good candidate for adopting, I think Annette would be that person.