You never know what the future holds, and sometimes a single decision can change the course of history for multiple people. This was the case for a little girl in 1964 when her mother made the difficult choice to give her up for adoption. At just 24 hours old, she already had adoptive parents ready to welcome her into their lives. Barbara Crane and Paul Gilbert were about to become her forever family, forever altering the trajectory of her life.
Not only did she find a loving home with her adoptive parents, but her younger brother Jonathan was also adopted by the same couple. Paul, an actor, dancer, and comedian, and his wife, an actress in her 20s, opened their hearts to these children. Unfortunately, when she was just six years old, Paul and Barbara separated. Despite the separation, she fondly remembers her father as an incredibly talented individual.
Tragedy struck in 1976 when Paul unexpectedly passed away from a stroke. From a young age, she knew she was adopted, as her mother Kathy Wood had shared this information with her. Her biological mother was a dancer, and her father was a stock-car racer and painter.
As she grew older, she became more curious about her biological parents. She eventually discovered that her mother was a dancer, although not a prima ballerina as she had initially believed, and that her father had pursued a career as a stock-car racer and painter.
Melissa learned more about the circumstances of her adoption following Paul’s passing. Her godmother shared stories about the day they brought her home from the hospital. It was a fateful day, as her adoptive parents had not actively been seeking to adopt a child. When her godmother informed her husband about the available baby, he simply said, “go get it.” They had been trying to conceive a child of their own but had been unsuccessful.
Melissa had more surprises in store as she reached the age of 45. She discovered that her adoptive father had not died from a stroke, but had taken his own life. This revelation had been kept from her for the sake of the family’s well-being. The news left her devastated, and for six months, she struggled to eat and sleep. However, she decided to honor her father’s memory by becoming an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
By now, you may have guessed that we are talking about Melissa Gilbert, the beloved actress who portrayed Laura Ingalls on the iconic show “Little House on the Prairie.” She recognizes that she was truly blessed to have had that role and the experiences it brought into her life.
Melissa is now married to her third husband, Timothy Busfield, and together they have embraced the joy of being grandparents to eight grandchildren. Life has taught her invaluable lessons, and she continues to grow through her experiences. We are grateful to have had Melissa as part of our lives through her role on the show, and for the wisdom she imparts from her own journey.
