[ashley1990]

I am going to be meeting my 14yr old daughter for the 1st time. I recently asked the adopting agency to contact the adoptive parents, to see if they would allow my daughter to meet her Great-Grandparents (before they pass away), My grandparents have been a source of strength for me and they had expressed a desire to meet my daughter. Well the adoptive parents have agreed and have requested that I also be present for the meeting.

I never thought in a million years that I would have the oppertunity to meet my daughter. I could not even allow myself to even dream about such a meeting. Now it is going to be a reality in a matter of a couple of months. They would like it to happen as soon as July.

I am not sure what to expect. I have heard of reuions sometimes being disappointing for birth parents. What can I do to help make this a positive expernice for all parties involved. Dose anyone have any words of wisdom for me?

[lbmckay]

Dear Ashley,
I wonder if your meeting has already taken place. I offer a free advice pamphlet at my site
www.visi.com/~lbmckay
and that might help. Generally, I advise people to 1) Be Yourself, 2) Realize that you are all "relative strangers" and it will take time to get to know each other and 3) Be open minded. These things may sound simple enough -- it's all common sense, I suppose, but I remember my reunion and how common sense seemed hard to come by. It's all a turbulent emotional roller coaster. Hang on for the ride of your life.
Hugs,
Linda (moderator)