It never ceases to amaze me how some events in our lives come full circle.  At an early age I was adopted by a couple who were unable to have children of their own due to medical problems.   I had limited contact with two of my siblings throughout my adolescent years but lost contact with them, by my recollection in my real early teens.  As all things go, I was given a chance at a good life by the people who I consider my Mom and Dad.  They spoiled me with love and attention but not to the point I was a spoiled brat.  Discipline and punishment were meted out if my childhood antics were such that it was deemed necessary.  In other words, I got my butt whipped good on several occasions.  I lived a good life, going to college, joining the USAF, getting married, having kids, traveling, getting married a second time, becoming a civilian again. I tried to learn as life took me on one adventure after another.  About the middle of last March, I was to begin a new adventure that will forever change my life.  Just a few days prior to our 12^th wedding anniversary my wife arranged to purchase a subscription to an online website called Classmates.com.  There were several people from my high school that I wanted to reconnect with to see how life had turned out for them.  I was able to do just that and had several good letters and phone calls from most of the people that I was able to contact.  Well, here is where the story seems to take a wild but dramatic change.  On April 27^th about mid-morning I got a phone call at work from my wife Trisha.  The only thing she could keep saying was “I done it.” Repeatedly.  Now being such a patient and understanding husband that I am, my only thoughts were “What did you do this time.”  Finally after several minutes of this banter back and forth with her, I was able to find out exactly what she had done.  “I’ve found them,” she said, and of course now I was really perplexed.  I didn’t know she had lost anything, nor do I remember losing anything my self.  “I’ve found your brothers, sister, and mother,” she finally blurted out.  Instantly my mind was numb.  I had always known that in the background Trisha had a personal quest going on to find my biological family.  In fact she had spent most of our married life together on this project.  Needless to say, as my world began to refocus, I began to experience several emotions all at once.  She went on to say that she had just gotten an email from my oldest brother Donald, and had already spoken with him.  It seems everyone had finally settled in Phoenix Arizona   My biological mother had already emailed her too.  Well, as the day progressed, my brother Donald called and we spoke for a few minutes.  It was strange to hear his voice after nearly 35 years or more.  Without a doubt it was a very emotional conversation.    Finally after my work day ended, and none to soon for me, I got home and finally the damn broke.  I had spent the day trying to control my emotions and drive a 35-ton truck along the highways without trying to injure, maim, or kill innocent motorists.  Now I sat at the computer desk, reading several emails from my long-lost family and feeling that roller coaster ride of emotions carry me through more miles.  I finally got a chance to speak with my biological mother that evening too.  She’d  had a stroke two years previous, but managed to come through it and appeared to be on the mend.  To describe that first conversation I don’t think any combination of words would do it justice.  Here I was speaking to my biological mother Joyce after never really knowing who or where I came from.  My adoptive mother had given me bits and pieces of information, but never anything concrete.  I’m sure that this was due to the fact she wanted to protect everyone involved.  Whatever reason, I only knew now that at the other end of the telephone line was a woman, my biological mother, in tears and barely able to speak because of her physical impairment and the host of emotions she was having to deal with.  As the days progressed, I was able to talk with all my siblings.  I had always known about my oldest brother and my sister, and had faint recollections of a brother younger than me.  I found out that there was a brother that was totally unknown to me.  As the next few days flew by the telephone calls, emails, tears, and laughter continued.   Trisha and I made tentative plans to fly to Phoenix so everyone could finally meet us and reconnect with each other.  One of the local television stations, WMBB, got wind of this story and met me as I arrived home from work one evening and did an interview.  Several of my wife’s family members, our personal friends, and local businesses, along with my new found family raised the money to get our air fare paid for.  We had set a date, booked the flight and were going to surprise my mother Joyce by just showing up on her doorstep one day soon.  As fate would have it, simple turns of events were about to change all of this.  My wife had not heard from my mother one day and got concerned.  She called around trying to find out what was up and if anyone had heard from her.  Apparently, there was a mix-up in Joyce’s medicine and she had become sick.  The family not wanting to scare us let the doctors try and get her condition under control.  When we found out of course we were relieved that all appeared to be well and again were able to speak with her and everyone else several times a day.  About a week after she entered the hospital we received a phone call from my brother Don.  It was strongly suggested that we should try and get there as soon as possible because my mothers health had taken a nosedive.  They were putting her on life support due to the fact she had developed pneumonia and her heart was straining to keep up with the infection that it had caused.  Trisha spent the following day on the phone with the airline we had booked the tickets though until she got someone who would listen to the situation.  After nearly 8 hours, she was told that we would have a flight the following morning, at NO additional charge.  Having our luggage already packed a week earlier very little was needed to be done.  Sleep was nearly impossible.  We were about to fly to the other side of the country, meet total strangers to us, and possibly arrive to late to do any real good for my mothers’ situation.  The plane trip to Arizona was pretty uneventful with the exception of some turbulence half way through the trip, and Trisha nearly ripping my arm from its socket because of it.  Upon arriving we had no idea of who was going to meet us, and standing just at the edge of the entrance way were a sister-in-law and niece, armed with pictures so they could recognize us. The family had gathered at the hospital because mothers’ health had deteriorated seriously.  It was almost like a coronation when we walked through the door and into the lobby.  What seemed like a million people had been awaiting our arrival.  The only thing missing was trumpets and court jesters.  I almost began to feel like Moses parting the Sea because suddenly we were now the center of attention with the crowd splitting then swallowing us up again.   Quick greetings were exchanged with everyone there as Trisha and I were introduced to a gaggle of newfound relatives Almost overwhelming doesn’t even come close to describing that experience.  All of us remarked on the similarities in our physical appearance.  But as the pleasantries and introductions continued everyone knew that the reason for this whole trip was about to actually happen and was well overdue.  Entering my mothers’ hospital room the only noise that could be heard was the sounds of all the machines, monitors, and oxygen that had been attached to her.  There in the bed was my biological mother straining for every breath she took. Again, the physical similarities of her and my siblings were quite evident.  It seemed as though all of us shared some small resemblance to one another.  I went and stood by her side and began to speak.  Her eyes opened and at that moment I instantly knew she recognized me.  We’ve all heard stories about how a mother can never forget one of her own children.  No matter for whatever reason we were separated so many years before, at this moment, that was of no concern.  I was able to stand there and speak with her however briefly and knew she was aware of my presence, knowing who I was.  Tears flowed down everyone’s face that was there.   All was well at this moment and the family had finally been reunited.  At this point I wish this had a fairytale ending but unfortunately it wasn’t to be.  The next few hours and days to follow were hectic and flew by at breakneck speed.  The decision to enter my mother in a hospice center was made because of her prognosis.  Sadly enough my mother was only able to hang on for only three more days, passing away on Memorial Day.  Trisha and I spent the rest of our time in Phoenix getting better acquainted with the family members, doing a bit of sightseeing, and of course dealing with the sudden loss of my mother Joyce.  Normally one might think that this whole effort was futile, but you would be wrong.  This event has changed my life and so many others forever.  If it were not for my wife Trisha, none of this would have been made possible either.  We now live here in Arizona within minutes of my brothers and sister, deciding a short time after going back home that this is where we needed to be.  So I guess you could say were home after all.  Every time that any of the family members gather there is always some discussion about the past, or who looks like whom, what person has what physical characteristic.  And through it all I have to believe that my biological mother Joyce and my adoptive parents in some way are able to look upon us all from wherever they are and see the kids all in one place at one time, preparing for whatever new adventure they’ve become part of since leaving this mortal existence.  The sacrifice of a mother having to make a heartbreaking decision to let one of her children be adopted, and another couple embracing a child to their lives makes me know that I was lucky and loved.  There are so many others out there that never have a chance like this.  Yes, I love my life. Every second of it.

Here is a picture of us brothers all taken on our first visit to Phoenix.  (from youngest to oldest in order)  Reggie, George, Me, and Donald