The Waiting: The True Story of a Lost Child, a Lifetime of Longing, and a Miracle for a Mother Who Never Gave Up

This is a true story and very bittersweet. It's the 2nd time I've read the book and probably not the last. It's non-fiction and written by the granddaughter of the main character. Chapters 7 & 8 will make you cry so grab some tissues, but the ending makes up for that. I highly recommend reading The Waiting!

Cathy LaGrow takes us through a labyrinth of emotions and memories as she presents “The Waiting,” a personal and heartwarming story of her grandmother, Minka, who survived a rape at age sixteen that produced a girl baby. Minka had to give the child away but never forgot her. Tragic, yes, but LaGrow conveys a love that was never abandoned and a dream that never disappeared.Minka didn’t suspect she was pregnant, in fact still believed that babies were brought by storks. Her mother suspected something was physically not right with her daughter, who then reluctantly told about the sexual assault in a dusty field that had happened three months earlier. Minka had never told anyone about the attack, including her mother and her precious sister, because she had no idea what it was all about except that it hurt and she was ashamed. She suffered in the silence of ignorance and embarrassment.The revelation set about an involved plan that first sent Minka to a relative, then to a home for pregnant girls where she had the baby. Two compassionate women ran the home, made all the arrangements for the baby to be adopted, and steadfastly refused Minka’s continuous pleas over the next thirty years for any information about little Betty Jane (the name she had given the baby).A Lutheran pastor and his wife raised Ruth Lee (the baby’s new identity). She had a happy life with her family and never had any desire to learn about her birth mother. She became the mother of five children, including a NASA astronaut and a West Point graduate who became an Army Lt. Colonel. She developed some health issues at age 77 and her children pleaded with her to get medical information about her birth parents. Included in 2 pounds of paper she received answering her petition for birth details were countless letters written through the years by her real mother, Minka, to the adoption home pleading for information about her, all of them either answered vaguely or not at all. She found a phone number, discovered that her mother was still alive, and the connection was finally made.Minka had a bountiful life of love, labor, and real consequence while never forgetting little Betty Jane. Many years later, at ninety-four, she was reunited with Ruth Lee, her baby of long past, herself now 77. LaGrow, Minka's granddaughter, uses beautiful language and wondrous depictions as she tells of Minka Disbrow, a woman of unbelievable resilience and determination. The reunion is glorious in its reenactment. Minka died in 2014 at 102 but had eight years of wondrous interaction with her baby girl and new family.It’s a book of both happiness and profound sorrow. It’s a granddaughter’s eloquent memoir that will wring emotions from you that maybe you thought you didn’t possess. I don’t recall reading such a touching story. Don’t miss this book.Schuyler T WallaceAuthor of TIN LIZARD TALES

After reading a brief synopsis of this book, I immediately purchased my own copy. I knew I wanted to get a hard copy, so I could pass it along to friends, because without even reading this story, I knew it would be one I'd want to share.And I was right. Not only do I want to share my copy, but I want to encourage every person I know to buy their own. The Waiting is a non-fiction book that reads like a fictional novel--but it's even more powerful, because it's completely true.The story chronicles the life of Minka DeYoung Disbrow who grew up on the plains of South Dakota, a shy and innocent farm girl who, at the age of sixteen, was accosted by a stranger at a picnic. For a young girl who still believed the stork delivered babies, she was shocked to discover she was pregnant.Her parents sent her to the House of Mercy to deliver the baby. Minka was to have the baby, and then come home and pretend as if nothing had happened. But, for Minka, no amount of pretending would allow her to forget her sweet baby, Betty Jane. She knew the baby went to a minister and his wife, but that was little solace for the years of pain.The book follows Minka's life through the Great Depression, WWII, getting married, giving birth to another daughter (eighteen years after the first), as well as a son. We see Minka as a hardworking wife, mother, landlady, daycare provider, and employee who traverses the country, and eventually ends up in California. We see her hardships and her joys, and our hearts are woven around this amazing, courageous woman.For seventy-seven years, Minka would mourn the loss of her baby girl. But on the day of her baby's seventy-seventh birthday, when Minka was ninety-four, she would ask God to allow her to see her daughter, at least once.The very same day, back in South Dakota, a judge opened Betty Jane's adoption record, at the request of a woman named Ruth Lee--once known as sweet baby, Betty Jane. The adoption file contained over a hundred letters from Minka. And Ruth soon discovered Minka was still alive.My heart broke for Minka, and when her dream is finally realized, after seventy-seven years of waiting, I sobbed. I've never cried like that while reading a book before. This is a powerful love story, not only between a mother and a daughter, but between God and His people. We see the hand of God woven into every little detail, and it's truly remarkable.

Gewaltig so ein Wunder! Einfach zum Staunen.

This is a true tale of how a mother never forgot her child whom she gave up for adoption, and their amazing reunion 77 years later. A story of faith and trust that God will work all things for our good.

Phew! What can I say, that hasn't already been said. A true story, a remarkable woman, and a remarkable family. I wept as I read it, and shall always keep and treasure this book. Cathy La Grow, you are truly inspiring to tell this wonderful, if not heartbreaking story of Minka and Betty Jane / Ruth. I wanted to reach out to Minka, and hug her! I'm so glad they were able to find each other again, and for Minka to be reunited with this lovely, wonderful family.

wonderful story, very well written by her granddaughter , I could not put it down. An amazing woman and an amazing family, Minka Disbrow had a beautiful way and so much love to give, with such faith. I have told everyone about it, a very special book.

This is a MUST read!! What an amazing story of a mother's love and her incredible faith in God. This book not only was captivating, it stirred my soul and impacted me as a reader. An excellent book and I highly recommend it to all readers.