This book is dedicated to all those who have been adopted and gone through similar situations. This is also for those who have adopted children. Each of us is different, yet we share common feelings and situations. Life is a journey that we all must explore and come to our own destination. I believe "fear of the unknown is often worse than the fear at hand." Don't let fear and your past dictate who you become, and don't let it hold you back or become your crutch in life. Let your spirit soar and live to your fullest potential. Remember that our past makes us the person we are today.

Writing this book was very difficult. As a child, I was always taught that we don't talk about what goes on at home. Children's services was the enemy, and we don't tell them anything. Yet here I am, faced with a difficult decision of writing this book or not. Then I found this quote, and it changed my life!

Sometimes what you're most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free. (Robert Tew)

Thelma Merkle tells the story as she remembers it. It is through the eyes of a child and later an adult. The trauma experienced is not uncommon to many children and families. My hope is that you can see what a child who is adopted goes through and how this can affect them as they grow into adults. Adoption is a lifelong process. This is one example of many, so I encourage you to learn as much as you can about adoptees and their past. I also hope that anyone who is living in a similar situation will see that children's services is not the enemy, and they can help if you let them.