Six Years on Thanksgiving

Submitted by Dragonlady6363@aol.com [Irene Newman]

Six years ago I met my real Family for the first time in 30 years. The experience was worth all the questions and answers. 

It was one month before Thanksgiving when I heard from the adoption agency. They said," there was someone who has been looking for me!" They could not give any names at that point in time but they would contact them and have them call me. I wondered forever { so it seemed } who it could be, my mother, father, brothers or sisters. 

That week when the phone rang, I nearly jump out of my skin. It was Leona, my little sister. The tears came as soon as I heard who she was. My heart was pounding so hard I thought she could hear it. We began to talk. We wanted to meet for the first time. So we set the date for Thanksgiving! 

When I saw her all I could do is run and hold her like a sister does when there is something wrong or when there is something hug for. 

My daughter and I stayed with her and her adopted family that weekend. It was the greatest feeling I have ever felt in a life time of wondering. Leona and I stayed up and talked all that night, that day, and all through the weekend. 

Then she told me she knew where our father was. He happened to be in from NC for Thanksgiving. So she called him and handed me the phone. All I could was listen to his voice. Then it was like something opened my mouth and said "Jerry, it is your daughter Irene." The phone went quiet. Then I heard "June. it's Irene. She is at Leona's." 

My heart started to pound so hard again as it did when I talked to Leona the first time. He asked how long I have been there (Leona's). I let him know that I had been there for a while. He asked why didn't we call sooner. My response was I was scared to. He said not to leave he would be there in two hours. 

That was longest two hours of my life. Finally the time came to meet him. We looked at each other. It felt so right. It has been like we were never apart. I had my life back. I had my father back. I had my brothers and sisters back. I found out that I am the oldest and the littlest sister. Three girls and the rest are boys. 

The emptiness is not totally filled; my mother is no longer on this earth. Now I search for my mother's sister Cathy Marie POFF. This would complete me. I hope it will give me some answers about Carol. I need her to tell me about my mother. In some way I hope that she can somehow be like the mother I have never had nor known. But I know that is asking to much at this point of time.

It Is almost Thanksgiving and time for the family to be together. This day is the greatest day of my life! I am thankful for all that I have in knowing who I am now. When you meet for the first time meet as if it was the last time you will ever see or hear from each other again. And every time I am with my family that is how I look at my newly-found family. And how much I have missed out on. 

Just to let everyone know I have children the same age as some of my brothers and sister. I am a proud new Aunt and grandmother. Which is the best time my brother Daniel and I could have. His daughter is one year and five months older than my grandson. As my children get to know their aunts and uncles, it is like they are as one. They all have so much in common. 

I hope your reunion is as great as mine was. It is a day that I will always cherish in my heart!

Thanksgiving !
  

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