re·linquish·ment n.
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Synonyms: relinquish, yield, resign, abandon, surrender, cede, waive, renounce
These verbs mean letting something go or giving something up. Relinquish, the least specific, may connote regret: can’t relinquish the idea.
Yield implies giving way, as to pressure, often in the hope that such action will be temporary: had to yield ground.
Resign suggests formal relinquishing, or acquiescence arising from hopelessness. Abandon and surrender both imply no expectation of recovering what is given up; surrender also implies the operation of compulsion or force: abandoned all hope for a resolution.
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Two weeks after giving birth, Jeanne had no choice but to surrender all hope, and it was decided that I would be relinquished to St. Joseph’s.
She went back to Michigan with her mother, and life went on. I don’t know, nor can I imagine her heartache.
I was in St. Joseph’s from October, until December 22nd. Which is where my story began. I was adopted by my wonderful parents. Merry Christmas Mary Christine! They had applied for adoption in August, and surprisingly, they got their baby four months later.
I have pictures of the day I was adopted – red-haired baby bundled up in my grandmother’s laundry basket, where we were visiting. I will look for them, and post them here. I will also post pictures that pertain to individual parts of this story:)
Jeanne and I parted ways in early October of that year, and we wouldn’t meet again until 31 years later….
Chris I am so happy for you ! I just read your whole story to this point. The heartbreak you birth mother must have felt …
Thank you for sharing your story !!
Joanie
PS will be watching for more
Chris, this is such a beautiful story. You have such empathy for your Mom. I know some would not. Wonderful insight!!!
Thank you Nancy – I think when you become a mother yourself – you realize a lot of things you couldn’t have realized before! 🙂