To: “frank” <frank@postsecret.com>

Dear Frank,

I’m not sure where to begin. I haven’t closed out my PostSecret tab in over 5 years now. It’s something that brings me comfort to see daily, that the site is not going to abandon me.

As this Mother’s Day approaches, I find myself in a mental world of a mess. I was adopted at birth, and that adoption was a closed adoption. I have tried a couple of times to find my biological mother, but have been shut down by family, extended family, and even the court system here.

I do know that the parents who adopted me, are my parents. They did a fantastic job raising me and providing me with a life I would have only probably dreamed of. But it doesn’t take away the abandonment and rejection I’ve had to deal with time and time again. That hole only gets worse as I get older, my parents age, and I raise my son.

Speaking of my son, he is the only gift I knew I ever wanted in life. To be a mom. I am so blessed to be his mom and that he chose me to fulfill that role for him. But man has this been a hell of a ride. I almost died during childbirth. The pain that I’ve endured is beyond words. I feel so lucky because of my son and the fact I am still alive this coming Mother’s Day, that I am 50% excited to celebrate.

With all the trauma I have had to endure and will keep enduring until I am fixed, I just can’t find a way to express my gratitude for my biological mom. I may never get to meet her, that hole in my soul may never be filled…. But my deepest secret has always been that I want to hear her heartbeat. As an adult I would do anything to hear that heartbeat that I listened to everyday for 9 months. That heartbeat that gave me life. And chose for me to live. I am pro choice, but I am so thankful my mom chose for me to live. I wish I could hug her and thank her.

Since I can’t thank her, and I don’t have the guts to do one of the ancestry tests, I am sending you my thanks for her.

The fact your website is always there and does not abandon anyone, no matter their struggles, is something I’ll always be thankful for.

Sent from a place a love and care

~~~

The ‘Museum of Us’ in San Diego has expanded the PostSecret Exhibition to include “Naked Mail”. Secrets written and mailed on objects, not postcards.

The potato and knife mailed to PostSecet with secrets are not on view, but you will be able to see the artificial banana, (packaged) condom, coconut, license plate, shirt, roller skate, the original PostSecret mailbox, and more.

To: “frank” <frank@postsecret.com>
Dear Frank-

Twelve years ago I mailed in my license plate with the message “I don’t know where my home is” scrawled on the front. I had just dropped out of college and moved across the country to live with my dad. A lot has changed since then, but some things haven’t.

My life imploded (again) and I found myself back in my dad’s house; I changed careers, graduated college, and went to grad school. But that secret has followed me for a decade, often featured on the website or exhibits.

It popped up a few weeks ago and I thought “nothing has changed, I’m still just that lost kid” and then I realized how wrong I was. I’m not sure that I feel any more at home here now than I did back then, but something has changed. I found home in myself. Finally the skin that I live in feels like enough. Thank you for being a place of growth, love, and acceptance for all these years.

-Erica

Hi Erica, 

Thanks for your secret! I remember receiving that “naked mail” over a decade ago and yes it has been shared many times; on the web, in my PostSecret talks, and in museums from the Smithsonian to the Museum of Us. 

I know many people have felt a connection to your secret and I believe many will now relate to your story behind it. Courage is contagious and I believe your story will inspire others to tell their truth – and take that first step in their journey. 

Your secret definitely has a home, so glad you found yours. 

Be well,
-Frank

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Visit the online exhibition of audio secrets to hear a collection of voicemails from friends, parents, brothers, sisters, partners, loved ones. Some are funny, many are brief and heartfelt.

Listen here. Or upload your own voicemail, story, and photos.

Our profound gratitude to everyone who contributed their emotional voicemail, photos, and soulful story. Special thanks to exhibition curator, Savannah Morin, and the team at WordPress. This exhibition was made possible with the generous support of the PostSecret Patreons.

—–frank(@)postsecret.com—–

Dear Frank-
My boyfriend knew I was a PostSecret fan and a couple of days before Christmas this was in a package on my porch. It was the most thoughtful and unexpected gift. Thanks Rod and Frank!

All six PostSecret books are still in hardcover are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble or your favorite Independent bookstore. Order now in time for the Holidays. 

See the postcards on exhibition at the Museum of Us.

Get free passes to see the exhibition plus a signed proof from the first PostSecret book and join the community by becoming a ‘PostSecret Partner’ on Patreon. Details