List: Adoption Stories | Curated by Andrew Johnston

Oct 11, 2021
10 stories
Adoption Stories
Andrew Johnston
in
Age of Empathy
Seeking My Father, Finding a BrotherI knew that researching my paternal family would be hard, but I never dreamed it would be so awkward
Oct 8, 2021
1
Oct 8, 2021
1
Andrew Johnston
in
ILLUMINATION
Four Things That This Adoptee Wishes You UnderstoodA children’s collection of cliches and misperceptions I wish I’d never have to hear of again
Sep 14, 2021
1
Sep 14, 2021
1
Andrew Johnston
in
Everything Shortform
This is the part where my family research gets tricky.I’ve now spoken extensively with members of my maternal family and received a treasure trove of photographs and drawings for my efforts.
Sep 6, 2021
1
Sep 6, 2021
1
Andrew Johnston
in
Age of Empathy
Gathering the Branches of my Family TreeMaking contact with my biological family has been a struggle — but slowly, it’s paying off
Sep 3, 2021
4
Sep 3, 2021
4
Andrew Johnston
in
Everything Shortform
I just finished trying to call my aunts, and my hands are literally trembling.I guess I have to wait and try again. The second time is always easier, after all. I’m still not sure what I’m going to say to them…
Aug 6, 2021
Aug 6, 2021
Andrew Johnston
in
Found In My Journal
Phone Numbers for Familiar StrangersSometimes picking up the phone takes a little extra strength
Aug 4, 2021
1
Aug 4, 2021
1
Andrew Johnston
in
Everything Shortform
Research into your roots can turn up uncomfortable information.It’s possible (though I as yet have no hard proof) that the relationship between my mother and father was unsavory. It would be easy to say…
Jul 29, 2021
Jul 29, 2021
Andrew Johnston
in
ILLUMINATION
Why Is It so Hard to Talk to My Adoptive Parents About My Birth Mother?It’s hard to be honest about our pain — even (or especially) to ourselves.
Jul 26, 2021
Jul 26, 2021
Andrew Johnston
in
Everything Shortform
A few weeks ago, I resumed researching my biological mother’s life, something I gave up on nearly…When I started this, all I had was a letter. Now I have a letter and a picture.
Jul 23, 2021
Jul 23, 2021
Andrew Johnston
in
Age of Empathy
I Outlived the Mother I Never KnewBetween the lines lie little truths and big mysteries
Jul 13, 2021
3
Jul 13, 2021
3