Great Expectations
great expectations "What are your expectations?" Carolyn asked me. I thought about her question, but nothing came to mind. "I mean...expectations for..." I trailed off hoping she'd jump in to elaborate. "With your mother. What do you hope will happen long-term? Do you want to have a relationship with her? Or someday meet her?" I felt overwhelmed and struggled to respond. "I...don't know. I guess I haven't thought that far ahead." I sat with my thoughts for a moment and tried to imagine what it would be like to have a relationship with my birth mother, or what it would be like to meet her. It felt painful and scary. "I don't...I don't think I want to have a relationship. At least not yet. That feels like too much. I'm having trouble with that idea," I admitted. "Well, maybe that's something to think about this week. Even if you feel like you might not have any expectati...