We Are Family

Tonight I got to be with my 40 year old cousin for only the 2nd time in our lives. You see, we only met about a month ago. We were both given up for adoption, at birth.

My parents got to bring me home when I was about 21 days old. They already had a son, who was 2 1/2 at the time, who they also adopted. (He was about 16 days old when they got him) We grew up always knowing we were adopted and being told it made us very special. I was one who was always curious where my birth mom was. Had I ever passed her on the street or maybe she worked somewhere I had been and had spoken to me and I didn't even realize it. I didn't look like anyone in my family and always wondered who I did look like. I always said I would search to find her when I turned 18.

Well, it actually happened when I was 22. Somehow those years passed so quickly, and one day, I was working on someones hair and the subject came up that I was adopted and they asked if I wanted to try to find my birth mom. I explained that I was going to when....Hey wait a minute - I am already old enough!! Wow, how did that happen. So, I called my attorney, made an appt and the search began. Two weeks later, I was talking to her on the phone.

She lives in CA along with a sister, two brothers, an aunt, two cousins and now several neices and nephews. I do have several aunts and uncles and cousins who live real close to me. That is where this new cousin comes into the picture.

The year before I was given up for adoption, my aunt, my birth mom's sister, also gave a baby up for adoption. Well, that baby - now a 40 yr old man, just found her - and us. It was so cool. He lives out of state too - but not as far as my birth mom and family.

So tonight we had a get-together at my other aunt's house because my cousin and his wife and daughter are up here for the week. It is really a blessing how God has brought us all together. There are some amazing people in my birth family - but the best part is - I felt comfortable around them from day 1. They are so much fun. There is really some great humor and talent in the family. Two of my cousins, (this new cousin's brother and sister) both LOVE to video record and take pictures. So they always film when we get together and then take home and make movie on their computer with it. They are very talented at editing and such to make into real masterpieces. But mostly we just play cornhole, or cards, or games or cornhole or take a walk or sit and talk or play cornhole and eat and laugh and, oh yea, play cornhole and laugh some more. It's always great fun!

So, I have been blessed to have so much wonderful family. My mom and dad who adopted me (the only ones I call mom and dad). A wonderful brother who I was raised with and now for the last 17 years - God has reunited me with those whose blood I share. And, I found out who I look like - my birth mom - it's unreal.

It sure is amazing to have two wonderful families who love me. I'm very blessed indeed.