A Whidbey Tie to Philomena
- Posted By : Lynn
- Comments : 4
Last month we got a surprising email from long-time patron Patti Carroll. She asked if we’d be showing the movie Philomena. The film, which stars Judi Dench, is based on the true story of Philomena Lee, a teenager who was forced by the staff at a Catholic home for unwed mothers to give up her little boy for adoption in the 1950s. Although she later married and had other children, Philomena was pained by the loss of Anthony her whole life, until she joined forces with journalist Martin Sixsmith to search for her son in America fifty years after he was taken.
Patti wrote, “I was also born at the Sean Ross Abbey depicted in the film. In fact, my birth mother Anne and I were there at the same time as Philomena and her son Anthony. At fourteen months of age, I was flown to the US to join my adoptive parents and the boy they had adopted from Sean Ross the previous year. He became my brother Joe.
In 2010, I was able to return to Ireland with daughter Kelley. It was only then that I learned of the cruelty and the suffering that the Sean Ross moms endured and learned how truly fortunate I am.
My adoptive parents truly loved us and we have benefited greatly from their love. Still, I continue to search for Anne and will always wonder if I have more brothers and sisters. Of course, I search tenderly and with respect for Anne’s privacy, knowing that she may never have told anyone about her time at Sean Ross. All I want to tell her is that I am well and that I am deeply grateful to her for giving me life.”
Philomena will play January 24-30.
For Patti–Good luck on finding Anne. Nine years ago, I found the son I gave up for adoption–we had lunch on his 50th birthday and have been fast friends ever since. You and I should talk.–Ann
Patti,
What a great opportunity this movie affords everyone to understand the situation these women were in and thank you for sharing your story. You know we have adopted three times and one of our children wanted to meet her birth mom and got a chance to a couple of years ago. I hope you find the answers you are seeking. You deserve the best. Big Sarah hug.
Sarah
Patti–email me! Harvey Weinstein’s office wants to talk to you. I’m serious. They contacted me about a piece I did about Philomena and I told them about you. They were hugely interested. I don’t know which Carroll you are in the phone book, but maybe I’ll call all of them if I don’t hear from you.
I saw the movie last night with some friends. We all loved it- the story s beautifully portrayed, and the acting is excellent. If you haven’t see it yet, go. If the Clyde shows it again later, I want to see it again.