Special for the Armenian Weekly
Questions always worked their way to the surface, and after 38 long years, I was finally getting some answers. I, as an adopted person, could now begin to fill in the blanks. The following is a short expose of my journey, my innermost thoughts and feelings—essentially a letter to my mother. This is a heart-felt interpretation of happenings plus events. My name is Mary L. Movsisian Foess.
***
Or, subscribe now for unlimited access
By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
Wow!
What a story!
God bless you Mary. I have just read about the “Armenian DNA study” and had just learned of the significance of “mitochondrial DNA”.
We have some Movsisyans in Qaraglukh village (or Karaglukh in Vayots Dzor – Քարագլուխ) 30 miles from our house, further up the Vardenis Mountain range, on the silk road, on the way to the Selim Caravansarail and the Sevan Lake. If you come, I will introduce you.
This is a beautiful story but I can’t help but wonder what this writer’s adoptive Mother must have thought of this letter which never gives any credit to her, the woman who cared for Mary throughout her childhood and obviously saw that she was brought up well and strong. It is wonderful that the birth family was found and a heritage preserved, however, adopting a child from another culture takes nerve, love, dedication and strength –among many other qualities. I hope this adoptive Mother was included in all of these findings of Mary and that she realizes what an important part she played in Mary’s life.
Indeed an inspirational and moving story. TKU for sharing it with us Mary. I hope you do visit Antoine, he is one very hospitable Armenian. annie
Good for you Mary. Persistence pays. I know it first-hand! Keep smiling because your victory could be the torch to light up the difficult and sometimes impossible path to finding traces of one’s biological parents.
What a load off your shoulders. Your story is an inspiration to thousands upon thousands of other Armenians to search for their roots.
Dear Mary, I’m so happy that you wrote and shared this beautiful letter to your mother. I’m Armenian on my father’s side. Narsisian, and too live in Michigan. I have one last link to my Armenian side, my dad’s baby brother Thomas (Uncle Tom) is 90. I want to do geneology for that side of my family. My grandparents came from Armenia. Uncle has a picture of Grandpa Narsisian, but SAuntie won’t let me get a copy, move it, etc. Noone else cares, but Uncle and me. I belong to the LDS church, and have access to many family records. It’s better if you know Armenians and ask them how. Can you help me? I’d love to have my Uncle talked to and documented before he leaves this earth. He’s been through much. Again thanks for sharing your lovely story.
Thanks you for your story and search..inspires me to search for more information about my father and mother’s stories of which i know little and wish to find more. The genocide was too painful for my mother to talk about.