A full circle begins
On New Year's Eve day 2007 a phone call was made to a woman who had dealt with the same feelings that her son had. Now they were going to 'talk' to one another for the first time. Can we really know how each one of them feel? We can try. It is a spectacular thing to hear a 79 year old woman say that she feels she can "die happy" now. This as a comment to finally talking with her long lost son whom she gave birth to. The son welled up with tears as he heard her tell him, "I loved you and did not want to give you away, but I had to... my parents made me. They said you deserved a better life." He only heard one word. LOVED you!!! And she continued by saying she had always loved him; thought of him always and on each birthday she'd say, "I hope you are alright; I hope you are well; I hope you didn't have to go to war." I am glad God sends His very special surprises the way that he does. Though I began this search for her, I had no idea to what depths this Answer would come. So far we know Sadie is 5' 5", is eloquent in her speech, adores her other children and grandchildren, and wants to meet her son and family. What a magnificent day it was. I am ever so grateful to Martha for helping to find Sadie for her son. {January 3, 2008}
God indeed has done more than we could even ask or think! Eph 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.."
This little boy
He was such a cute little guy. His outfit was so perfect. I'm sure his Mama kept him all tidy and clean, only to find him get dirty when she least expected it. Sadie is going to be so proud of him. Just like I've always been. He and Sadie have both found that which was missing. Man, this is one exciting time. I've had others who have helped me pray for him over the years and I truly feel we're seeing prayers answered. Who knew it would come in the form of finding his birth mother and her telling him, "I love you, son." Mercy sakes! Gives me goosebumps. Tomorrow she should receive the photos he carefully packed up and mailed her on Wednesday. I'm excited for her to get them. What will she think when she sees this very photo of him? I know she'll cry. How can ya not? Today we spoke with her for the 3rd time. We talked with her on New Year's day too and when she answered the phone, I said, "Happy New Years, Saide"..... She was so sweet. She said, "Yes, I think it's already going to be very Happy." She added up her grandchildren and was pleased to say she has 7 grandchildren and then added and Twin Great Grandsons! (sweet) She's still under the weather and we hope she gets well soon. We go up for the twins First Birthdays on Jan. 17th. Sometime before we return home we will go vsit her. I know 2 people who will have butterflies more than anyone else. I will have my camera ready. {January 4, 2008}
Now who does this little guy favor?
While Sadie is busy thinking this little guy favors her children, I looked at this tonight and realize this photo reminds me of one of the twins. I'd say for sure Jacob seems to look more like his Grandpa in this shot. While the twins don't have brown eyes, I just see a resemblance in their faces (at this age anyways). There are photos in the mail from Sadie. They should arrive tomorrow. Her son is anxious to see them, but I admit that I am too. I want to see the resemblance in the two of them. This is pretty neat. We spoke with her again today and we are worried about her. She has been sick with a bad cough and perhaps a flu-like thing. She said today she did not like how she felt. So, thankfully, she's going to see her Dr. tomorrow and not wait til next Monday. Whew. We are praying he will check her out good and see if there is some tweaking to be done of her medications. Tonight I wished we were nearby to take her dinner. I think she needs a little Jewish penicillin. Her wit is obvious and she is fun to talk with. Today she spoke of "W" and it was her own feeling, but I soon figured I should tell her, "I voted for him...". She said, "oh, Sadie, shut your mouth"... then said she'd not bring up politics again. She asked if that meant her son was a Republican too? He said, "yes,mam". She said she wouldn't disown us. I'm glad. So, tomorrow we'll see the face of his birth mother for the first time. That will be nice. Meanwhile, when you read this? Please say a prayer for Sadie to get well SOON!! T.Y. {January 9, 2008}
Once you've kissed your baby you start the bonding process
Sadie bonded with her little boy. She ached to hold him again. The day she had to 'let him go' would always be a heartwrenching moment in time. Over the years she wanted to talk about him to someone but she couldn't because it was taboo. Nobody ever mentioned him to her. And she knew her family members knew at home but they were likely instructed NEVER to bring it up. Part of her healing process (small as it might be) could proceed IF she'd been allowed to talk of her child she had to give up; to tell how beautiful he was; how soft and sweet; what his little neck smelled like that last morning that she dressed him and held him close to her. But, no. She could not talk openly about him to anyone. How sad. In less than 10 days she may well be putting her arms around that grown up son. I know he won't smell a thing like she remembered. Of course not. He smells so nice always; he wears a nice cologne called Obsession. She will look at him admiringly when she gets over the nervous meeting. I am very happy for them both. She has told me I can call her 'mom' or Sadie. I have called her both and prefer 'mom'. I will take some photos and hope she won't mind. I am putting a small photo album together for Sadie. There will be photos from school days, birthdays and hobbies. His wedding photo, his sons, wife and parents. We are looking forward to that Day. Meanwhile we pray for Sadie. We all are praying for her to get well. We know we are blessed to witness a mother and son reunited. Quite a reunion we will see. And I will share more of this later. You can count on it. [January 12, 2008]
Destiny is an event that will inevitably happen in the future
We arose early, had coffee and set off for CT. The GPS had her address with an estimated 3 hour drive. The only glitch was that Howard had come down with laryngitis! His voice was now a whisper. We prayed for it to break up and that he'd be able to "talk". We were to call Sadie when we got to the entry of her complex. We made one coffee stop; hoping it'd help his throat. The snowy terrain was fun to look at along the way. As we arrived to her driveway, the excitement grew. THIS is where 'mom' lived!! He was out of the car pretty fast, taking hold of the boquet of roses he'd gotten her and up the front walk he went. Sadie was standing at her front storm door. I came right behind with my small camera set to video. They embraced and exchanged greetings: "My son!" and "Hi mom!" She remarked, "finally... I've waited my whole life for this day" Tears? Sure. The timing was PERFECT. SIXTY YEARS seemed to melt as they began catching up on more details of their lives. He brought his baby bonnet for her to see. She held it and looked lovingly at it. She would remark over and over how Handsome he is. He looks so much like his mother! On learning he had laryngitis she fixed him some hot tea soon after we arrived. With honey. Lunchtime consisted of a well-planned menu which Sadie prepared. She said she had it all 'ready' by 10 a.m. It was covered and ready to pull from the fridge. The 3 of us sat at the table for lunch and enjoyed the chit chat. Once when she returned to the table, she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned down and hugged him. I said, "Wait, Stay. It's a photo op" So, this is THAT photo! While seated on the sofa next to eachother, she hugged onto him and kept saying she didn't want him to 'go' - one time telling me I could go, but I must leave him there. (she was laughing) Sadie is a beautiful woman with 'peaches and cream' complexion. She said her Dr. says that about her skin. I know now where Howard gets that 'no wrinkle' complexion. No wonder he looks so young himself. Takes after mama.
God intended for them to meet one day; for Howard to "hear" those words Sadie shared so lovingly with him. That's GOD. Not chance. He did THIS very thing for both of them. "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins." Is 49:16 {January 24, 2008}
Holding hands
Likely, it was your mother or father who first held your hand when you began taking baby steps. Having a parent hold your hand while you were out in the world made you feel safe, protected from any harm. The same is true for your spouse. Holding hands is definitely a heart-connected activity! How sweet it was when Sadie reached for her son's hand and held it! I reached for my camera and instinctively took a picture. A mom who will reach her 80th birthday this year holds her son's hand; a son she had to 'let go' Sixty years ago TODAY!
The thing about both their hands are the similarities. Turns out that Howard and Sadie both have known hard work. Working with their hands. She helped her folks on their tobacco farm for untold hours and beyond Howard's full-time career, he worked countless hours almost each weekend for over 25 years in the citrus groves. His parents had a 'work hard' attitude towards their responsibilities, so Howard has a well-rounded background to his approach to work ethics. I've always said I had never known anyone who worked SO hard. Only since the loss of the grove has he had a chance to slow down some. Now his hands are more available to "hold" and his lifelong callussed hands are not so obvious these days. You can tell a lot about someone by looking at their hands. I was honored to be seated at the dinner table with both of them. We anticipate holding Sadie close to our hearts for the rest of our lives. {January 27, 2008}
A month of Sundays have gone by
Aren't we glad there are telephones? Besides the U.S. Mail, we're glad we can keep in touch with Sadie by calling her. We have shared additional photos and cards with one another. Last week we got a very precious picture of her holding her one month old son. Back then she'd cut a little piece of his hair and taped it to the back of the photo. That was done 60 years ago this past January. She said, "I don't want it back; I got to keep it for 60 years, but now I want my 'son' to have it." (photo on left) We had a nice phone visit with her today. She pointed out it is one month today since we first 'met' at her home. Bless her heart, she has an ongoing sinus infection and is still not feeling well. Despite that, she is in a good mood when we talk with her. Today we just missed getting to talk to her daughter, Linda. She had been over to visit with her Mom. Howard got to speak with her on Valentine's night. He called to wish Sadie a Happy Valentine's about 8 p.m. or so, and she told Howard his sister would like to talk to him. Linda told him, "welcome to the family". That was really sweet. I look forward to talking with her soon. Sadie asks us when we will be back. I'm pretty sure it will be Spring when we return. We look forward to that.
We look forward to the boys meeting their Grandma Sadie. That's our sons, their wives and our grandsons. Heck, make that the rest of my family. They want her to come to our next Family Reunion. She'll be the 'belle of the ball'. We remain Thankful for our meeting. If you think of her, please say a prayer for her healing. We thank you so much.
{February 24, 2008}
60 years later she made him a Birthday Cake
Almost 5 months went by before we could visit Sadie again. We were all so glad to see one another once. Mom Sadie baked her son a birthday cake! She said she'd missed out for 60 years and wanted to do this for him. We enjoyed every bite too. We stayed in a nearby town and went to visit Mom three different times: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Howard got to meet his half-sister, Linda. They bear a strong resemblance to their mother; hence they do of eachother. As Howard put it, his sister, Linda, is a much prettier "him". I managed to put an album together for Sadie with photos of Howard's growing up years, including some pics of his mom and dad and grandparents. She was very pleased with it. On Sunday, June 8th, Sadie met her twin great grandsons, as well as their parents, Jim and Anita. We went to lunch at a nice pizza parlor. (loved the pizza) It was a very nice visit for all. Sadie will be 80 years young in September. We want to be up there for that!
