[RavenSong]

Lori, I've been giving this some thought. I think it's wonderful and will be healing for you to reach out to Larry's widow. But I really think you should go ahead and contact your birthmom first. You've got her address and phone number, and you've written a nice letter. Go ahead and mail it! If she doesn't respond, I am more than willing to act as an intermediary.

When I realized that Larry died five days after your birthday, it hit me like a ton of bricks what Diana must have gone through. As you know, many of us bmoms have anniversary reactions on our relinquished child's birthday. So she may have already been feeling a sense of loss that week. I would imagine that when your brother died five days later, her grief was overwhelming.

She has given birth to three children, and now two are dead. I just have this strange sense that the timing is right now for this reunion. I think you're going to be a true blessing in her life. It is going to take her a while to process everything, and you are going to have to be patient with her. But deep in my heart, I truly believe that God has His hand in your journey of search and reunion.

I am so incredibly sad that you didn't have the chance to meet Larry in this life. But he left behind four children, your nephews and niece. And I think you'll be able to see a bit of him in them. And I think that you'll be a real comfort to their mom.

Hang in there, kiddo. You're doing fine...