The Letter
Dear Ruthie:
What a lovely name. I wonder how you are, Ruthie Camden. I wonder how you were raised. Was it with love? Did your father spoil you? Did your mother teach you the mysteries of womanhood? Do you have brothers and sisters, and did you grow up knowing them as friends? Did they raise you with a faith, or leave you to seek your own?
I ask these questions not to be intrusive, but because I need to know. I have a right to know. Ruthie, I do know who our parents and siblings are. I finally do. I know where you were raised, after 20 years of searching. Because I had a right to know.
Ruthie, did you ever wonder? Why your parents are blonde with blue eyes, with pale skin, while you have dark hair and eyes and darker skin? Did you ever learn that blue is a recessive gene, and that blue eyed parents can only have blue eyed children?
I ask you this because you have been told a lie all of your life, and at last I can tell you the truth.
Eric Camden did not sire you. Annie Camden did not give birth to you.
I am your birthmother.
I was the one denied knowing you. Denied breastfeeding you, raising you, seeing your first steps, trimming your hair to keep a lock, taking you to school for your first day, taking you to synagogue to learn the lessons of your true faith.
I wanted to hate them, Ruthie, when I finally found who took my child. I did. And then I thought, why should I pay attention to them? What is important is you. Now you are a grown woman, Ruthie, and you have the right to know who you are. No-one can stop you from seeking me, if you wish.
And I hope that you do, Ruthie. For I miss you terribly still, and I would like to have you back in my life. To give to you what is yours.
I live in New York city, the city of life and fire. Enclosed find my address, my phone numbers, my email address. I hope you will contact me soon.
I hope this letter finds you well, following your dreams, finding joy wherever you go.
Love
Your long lost mother, Naomi Myers.