Susan Gervaise carried the belief that she was adopted throughout the entirety of her existence. At the age of 53, a revelation surfaced almost serendipitously, unraveling a poignant tale of deceit and a decades-long search by her biological family.
The genesis of Susan’s journey began when, as a four-year-old, she was taken by neighbors who had initially promised a trip to Disneyland with their children.
Unbeknownst to her, these neighbors harbored alternative intentions, planning to raise Susan as their own. The unconventional family embarked on a journey that spanned continents, moving from Canada to various countries until they finally settled in New Zealand.
Despite the circumstances of her adoption, Susan grew up in a household that provided her with care, education, and opportunities to explore the world. The narrative she had been told, that she was adopted, became an integral part of her identity.
However, the truth began to unravel when Susan attempted to renew her passport. To her surprise, there were no adoption records in the archives, leading her to question the veracity of her past.
As she delved deeper into the mystery, she confronted her “adoptive” family, and the shocking revelation emerged: she had not been legally adopted, and her past had been built on a foundation of deception.
Despite the upheaval caused by this revelation, Susan chose to maintain connections with the family that had raised her. It was a complex decision, rooted in the shared experiences and care she had received throughout her life.
Several months later, Susan, now armed with the knowledge of her true origin, undertook a journey to find her biological parents. To her astonishment, she discovered that her real family had never stopped searching for her during those 53 years of separation. The emotional reunion was a testament to the enduring bond that transcended time and distance.
While the past could not be altered, Susan embraced the complexities of her story. She chose to acknowledge both families, recognizing the impact each had on her life. In doing so, Susan navigated a delicate balance between acceptance and the profound realization that her identity had been shaped by the convergence of two disparate worlds.
