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Monday, September 7, 2009

Reunited at Last



I didn't see my eldest daughter Annika from the time she was 24 hours old until she was 21, when I as birth mother and she as relinquished child reunited for the first time. It was a glorious reunion, one of the happiest days of my life.

Over the years, I became an advocate for birth mothers and adoption. I've been blessed by Annika. We got together again at Christmas 2008, and we learned about the different traditions of our families; then we met again at a state park north of Eureka, California, to camp with members of her birth family. She's up in Portland now, making a new life for herself.


Getting to know each other has been profound. I'm interested in discovering other people who have had reunions between birth parents and relinquished children. If you've had one, please share your stories with me.



This is the poem I wrote as I drove to the airport to pick her up for our second reunion:



Welcome

Down the hill, in the glade,
the writhing white branches of the leafless sycamores
look like dancing skeletons

dancing skeletons of trees
dancing dancing
my heart is dancing
you’re coming home today
oh my heart
is dancing

just like the sycamores down in the glade
their white arms swirling
above the green grass

you’re coming home today
and my heart is dancing


Chris Alba (c) 2009

7 comments:

Tall Kay said...

Welcome to blogsville! I loved this story and poem. I saw your comment on another blog and came to say hello. I look forward to reading more.

Angela said...

What a beautiful blog post and poem. I cannot even imagine the sorrow of giving up a child, nor the joy of being reunited. You have amazing strength and courage!

Tall Kay said...

Hey C:

I got your message about how to add a blogroll. It's done thru layout and adding a gadget you can place where you want it to be. It's not too hard, as I figured it out. I'll add you to mine too!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful you were able to reconnect with your daughter after so many years. Best of luck to the both of you. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll be back.

Joanne Olivieri said...

What a heartwarming story and a beautifully crafted poem. The imagery is wonderful. I am so happy you have been reunited with your daughter. Enjoy each other.

Her Big Sad said...

What a blessed gift, to be able to really get to know her now. I love your poems...

Brother Frankie said...

she is as beautiful as you are. this story made me smile,,
you are loved
brother frankie
a biker for christ