Pam Slaton opened the show recalling the sadness she felt in her quest to find her mother….who didn’t want to be found.  She never wanted anyone to go through that same pain.  From her pain…came her passion.  Lucky for us! 

In 1966, Martie Cunningham found herself pregnant and shipped off to a home for unwed mothers.     She couldn’t bare to even look at the daughter she was being forced to give away.   She snuck down to the nursery to catch a glimpse the next day and to take a moment to say good-bye.  It still appears she is a wreck over it.  I was already tearing up at this point.  The story was so touching. 

Martie met with Pam and shared her story.  A rough life.. and a full blown alcoholic by around 13 years old.  It is not a surprise to hear she was pregnant at the age of 21.   Her Catholic family shipped her off to have the baby at a home for unwed mothers.  She remembered like it was yesterday.    The shame and guilt still so raw.    

Pam shared with Martie that she found her daughter.   Pam had spoken with the daughter, Kim, who was hit rather hard with the news.  Kim needed time.  Perfectly understandable, yet I can imagine that the time was killing Martie.  Pam requested that Martie write a letter to her daughter telling her everything she had ever wanted to say.  It is important to respect Kim’s boundaries.    Martie is so happy.  To her, Pam is an “angel”. 

Martie returned the next day and ready the letter to Pam.  She writes how she hopes Kim will receive the words as she intends them… “from love, from joy and most of all, for the highest good for you”  You can feel the built up love that Martie has held for years.  The letter was hard for Pam being that her mother didn’t have the same desire to know her.   Pam over-nighted the letter and they hoped for the best.  Regardless of what happens, this letter will touch Kim.  There is no way it can’t!  I was a grown woman who had no connection to this woman and I was sobbing. 

A few weeks pass and Pam starts to worry for Martie.   She hasn’t heard anything from Kim.  Martie has all the natural fears of rejection.  Three weeks after contacting Kim, a letter arrived.  Pam forwarded to Martie with hopes that it will have the outcome she wants.  The letter was wonderful.  Kim was open to meeting her….but in time.  She wasn’t quite ready.  Five weeks later, Martie and her daughter, Kim met for the first time.

Martie continued to be as selfless as possible understanding how had this is on her daughter.   They spent 3 hours talking and then headed to have lunch.  Martie was overjoyed and I couldn’t help but feel elated for her new life…one that included her daughter.  

AND THEN…text pops up at the end of the day saying that “Martie and Kim haven’t spoken since that day”.  My stomach dropped and I felt so sad for Martie.  It was wonderful she was able to finally meet Kim, and I am sure that Kim has her reasons, but the love this woman had for her daughter.   Who knows, maybe that was it.  Maybe it was too much love from a stranger that caused Kim to pause.  I only hope that they are both well and have love in their lives.