At 18 years of age, as I prepared to enter college, I learned I was expecting a child. I put college plans aside and entered Florence Crittenden Home for Unwed Mothers outside of Trenton, N.J. There I gave birth to a little boy on September 25, 1956, and named him Keith.

Keith was an adorable baby with black, curly hair and large dark eyes. I instantly loved my baby but realized that it would be difficult for me, as a single parent, to keep him. The Crittenden Staff told me that I could consider another option: to give him up for adoption. However, they stressed that I would only have three months to make a decision.

After his birth I went to live with my uncle who did not want me to bring the baby to his home. I left Keith with an aunt who had a home for state-appointed and abandoned babies. Even though he was well cared for I wanted him to have a nice home and a two-parent family. Nearing the end of the three- month period I decided it would be best to give my baby up for adoption.

On a cool and crisp day in December, 1956, a friend drove with me and Keith to the adoption agency. After a few minutes of signing the official closed-adoption papers I gave my little son a kiss, handed him to the social worker and left the building.

Outside I said to my friend, “Let’s hide behind a tree and see who comes out.” After a very short period of time, a couple came down the walk-way carrying Keith. The man was cradling Keith in his arms as the woman smiled lovingly down at their new son. Much to my surprise, a little girl was skipping along beside them. Keith was now part of an intact family. My hopes for him were realized.

For over 50 years, I took comfort in knowing that Keith had been embraced by that family; but I always wondered about how he had grown up, what was he like as an adult? So in the summer of 2013, I set out on an uncertain path to find my son. Uncertain for me, but not for God. This book is about how God led me on that special and challenging journey.