Every year my DH and children get very excited as my birthday approaches planning celebrations for the day. I on the other hand just want to let it pass without too much fuss. It is only in the last few years (I am in my 40's now) that I have realised that the reason for this is that my birth was not a celebration, I was given away by my unmarried 17 year old Irish Catholic mother a few weeks after birth.
Although I am now in touch with my Birth Mother and we get along, I still can't bring myself to enjoy my birthday. Can anyone who has been adopted as a child identify with these feelings or offer advice as to how I can overcome it and enjoy my birthday like everyone else ?