Segubre, Steven Michael G.

Grade 8 Aristotle

HOW LONG WILL I SEEK?

ANNE is still haunted by her cruel start to life. She was just only a few hours old when she was
abandoned inside a box near a lamppost in a highway. The umbilical cord was still attached and she had
a Polydactyly, a condition in which a secondary finger or thumb may be attached only by skin, nerves or
by an extra bone, on both hands.

Anne was found by a travelling businessman, Charlie Kanter named her Cecile derived from the
road where she was left by her parents.

Now, 14 years on, Anne has a different name a very loving family. But she still knows pretty little
things about her early life.

Anne and her foster parents, Jack and Jill, have requested that we withhold their surname.

Here is an open letter written by Anne for her parents.

Dear my biological parents,

It never came to my mind to be angry with you. But, there is just one thing you need to answer. I
want to know why did you left me? Thats the big question.

Ive always known that I am just adopted. I grew knowing it. But I was about 9 or 10 when they
told me that I was found in a box near a lamppost. I am speechless that time thinking that you, my parents
have left me in a box placed beside a highway.

Then as time flies, all these questions came up to my mind Who are my parents? Why did they
do it? Was it because of my extra fingers? Do they love me? Did they tried to found me? Have they
regretted what they have done to me?

Ive had dreams about it and those always ends the same thing. She was a teenager, and she was
pregnant. She didnt want anyone to know her pregnancy so after giving birth to her child, she abandoned
her child. Maybe because of her childs disorder, she panicked and had no choice but to abandon her.
Every time I have dreams like this, or should I say a nightmare, I feel the agony and pain because that child
is me and the mother is you. My tears are flowing from my eyes throughout my face like a river.

Ive even told few of my closest friends about my situation. And it took me a long time finding the
courage to do that. They were all shocked and cried when they knew I am abandoned by you because I
am the most active person in the class and in fact, I am the valedictorian of our batch.

But I said to myself I need to be strong. So I stood up and faced the reality.

A few years ago, I went with my mom and dad to the place where you left me. There we also met
the person who have found me, Charlie Kanter.
 At first, I dont know what to say to him. But my joy meeting him outweighed my nervousness. I
was emotional at that moment. Because Id wanted to meet him a long time ago. And when we meet each
other I was like: Wow!

After a while, Mr. Kanter brought us to nurse Jasmine. Nurse Jasmine had taken care of me for a
week when Mr. Kanter had brought me there after he found me at Cecile road. I am so thankful for her
because she took care of me even though she is not my parent. But for you two, I never felt your love.

Nurse Julia told me that I was the prettiest blonde girl in the hospital that time. She said that was
perfect, except for my hand that had an extra finger. And after staying there for a week, I have been taken
into foster care.

After a month, Nurse Julie brought me to an orthopedic surgeon to check my extra finger and if
possible, to start the surgery for the removal of my extra finger. She paid all the costs of my operation. I
am very thankful for what she have done. She is one of the most important people in my life.

I stayed for 3 years in the orphanage until my foster parents, Jack and Jill, have found me. That
time I was so happy that finally, someone have thought of adopting me. The thing that I think youd never
did.

Together under a roof, my new family and I had always a good time with each other. When
problems came, we solve it together and always think about the positive side that we could solve it no
matter what. With that thinking, we always surpass all those problems that passes by our lives.

There came my 10th birthday. That time they said that I was abandoned by you. And I was found
inside a box. From that day til now, I am always thinking of who you really are and why do you have to
do this to me.

So, now my parents, now that I have told you everything that happened in my life since you
abandoned me, please answer now my question. Why did you abandon me?

Always remember my dear biological parents that even though you do not love me that much.
You still have a place in my hearts.

Your Loving Daughter,

Anne

After sharing her letter to us, she said that she still wants to find her parents. She wants to live
with her real parents in a house that they will call home.

Anne would never stop searching for her real parents. She believes that if she will meet her
parents or even just to know why she was abandoned, it will fill the missing piece of herself.