If I were adopted

Greetings!

This prompt is something I have seen many times in different communities, and I’ve been peacefully dodging it because I feel like what I might say could make people look at me differently, especially given the kind of life I’m living.

If I suddenly found out that I was adopted by the people I’ve known to be my parents, what would my reaction be?

First of all, I’m among those who aren’t as attached to family in the way that others seem to be. It’s not that I don’t love my family—I love every single one of them, and I always pray for their safety, especially for my parents to live very long lives—but the clingy attachment to home? No, I’m not fond of it. So, if this situation happens, although it would be a shock to me, I wouldn’t feel it too deeply or be driven to erupt hell or to search for my biological parents, which I think may not even lead to anything positive.

I have a very soft heart, and things tend to bother me easily, but this wouldn’t be one of them. Like I said, there would be the initial shock and pain of finding out such a thing from the people I’ve known as my parents for so long, and I’d definitely question them a bit for hiding it from me. But afterward, I would just return to my normal life. It would feel fruitless to go searching for my biological parents, and it would probably feel like I’m starting life over again. I would continue to see the people I’ve known as my parents as my real parents, unless they’re tired of me, in which case I would quietly move on. After all, I haven’t been living with them that much. The only thing I would truly miss is the sense of belonging, especially around moments like traveling home for Christmas, when we all come together. But if they’re still open to having me in the family—and of course, they would be, since I was adopted and that’s part of the arrangement—I would gladly stay and not feel any sort of emotional void.

But then there’s another issue: siblings and inheritance.

Let’s say my parents revealed this at a time when they’re older and starting to divide their property among their biological children—that’s where things could become problematic. There’s something about inheritance that often ignites feelings of resentment. Personally, I wouldn’t be interested in the inheritance itself, but my concern would be my siblings. No matter how much they try to hide it, they would always see me as not truly part of the family. That feeling would always linger beneath the surface.

Should I feel deep anger toward my parents?

Come on, these people raised me to the point I’m at now. Yes, it was their responsibility because they adopted me, but they could have also chosen not to give me the level of care and support they did. So no, I wouldn’t direct any anger toward them. Life is already tough enough without making things more complicated for myself.

Thanks for reading.

Image source 1 & 2