Thanks for the replies mc2ed, MickeyCheeky and Fharraige. mc2ed you are right - awareness is a good thing, even if it is painful at times.

Her message said:

"I was very surprised to receive your message. At first I was tempted to ignore it, but after a great deal of thought decided to answer.
My decision to have you adopted was a very painful one, but at the time it was really the only option.
I felt like a surrogate mother, before the term was in use, and never felt like you were ment to be mine.
I have thought about you, and hoped you had a happy life with a good family who may otherwise have been childless.
I never wanted to contact or meet you, feeling that once the papers were signed you were not mine.
My Husband has always known of your existence. I have shown him your message, and he is very worried and upset, feeling that digging up the past could be very disruptive to our family life.
My philosophy has always been to look forward, and not back to painful memories, I cannot change the past.
Please respect my privacy."