As an adoptee who went through reunion with her 3 older birth sisters over 10 years ago- I want to say that my adoptive mom and I grew even closer. My adoptive mom and I have always been super close- she is now 83, widowed and caring for my adoptive sister who is 55 and has Lou Gehrig's disease.
My mom and I were close but never talked much on adoption and my past history- but when my mom shared with me my birth name which initiated my search- we opened up a new communication that was wonderful. She began reading alot of adoption books with me and was very supportive. I know it may have been more challenging had my birth parents been alive- for this seems to be more threatening. But my mom met my birth sisters with my dad one weekend with me and they embraced them.
A few years ago- due to my work with Adoption Blessings Journal and also my work facilitating adoption triad support groups for almost 12 years- I was asked to be a keynote speaker at an adoptive parents retreat. My mom came to town to go with me and she even planned to speak at one of my 5 sessions. The audience loved her and her perspective. This would have not been possible had I not gone through my adoption search/reunion journey which caused us to open up and share on this topic that we did not talk on until I was in my 30s!
Please adoptive parents, do not fear reunion but keep talking and sharing and trusting God for the big picture- I am so glad it drew my mom and I closer together!
Blessings, Jody
