Aleta (MaryFrancis) Clardy (Thompson):  

Life My adopted name during my childhood was Mary Francis Thompson (My name given at birth by my birth mother was and is Aleta M Clardy) and I lived with my adoptive parents and siblings on Lothrop street between 14th and LaSalle. I attended Thirkell elementary, Hutchins Jr. High and obviously Northwestern where I graduated from in 1978. (p.s. I still have not been able to retrieve my transcripts from the district office. They can't seem to find my records.) My and my sibling's childhood years were very difficult and timultuous, yet through faith, prayer and God's mercy and grace, we survived. My high school years were very difficult due to the impeding personal and family problems, but I managed to graduate. Upon graduation, I began working at Meyer Jewelry, however, left Detroit in April 1979, to marry and live in Toronto. Quite frankly, I was merely jumping out of the fire into a very hot frying pan. From that marriage (escape to not much better than I left), I have a daughter named Ayesha who will soon be 20 years of age. After divorcing, I returned to Detroit briefly in 1983, however, moved to Chicago 2 years later and have been there ever since, growing in the field of marketing, and advertising. I also have an 11 year old son, Jabari. After losing my adoptive parents, I began to search for my biological parents and family. I located my mother and siblings on her side in September 2003. I located my father and siblings on his side in November, 2003, and legally changed my name to my birth name of Aleta M Clardy in July, 2004. I had known my name was Aleta since I was six years old, however did not know how to spell it and was sworn to secrecy until my adoptive parents finally told me when I was sixteen. It was very difficult knowing something of this magnitude and not being able to explore it or discuss it, but well, we managed. The experience was and continues to be like finding a lifelong lost treasure, or I should say also "like opening Pandora's Box" as it is a mixed bag to say the least. Nevertheless, I am eternally grateful to finally learn my history. Unlike some others, I was fortunate enough to have the unique opportunity of taking back my birth name and records and connecting my birth and adoptive history, and for this I am eternally grateful. Fast forward, I resided in a south suburb of Chicago for several years, however I have sinced moved close to downtown Chicago. I currently live with my 11 year old son, Jabari. My soon to be 29 yr old daughter has recently moved. Professionally, I am now thriving in the field of marketing as CEO of Savvy Marketing Solutions (my consulting company) and as a Marketing Manager a health organization. Revisiting my high school years again, just for a minute, I can accutely remember...Expand for more