This is Amazing Grace

"Who brings our chaos back into order
Who makes the orphan a son and daughter
The King of Glory, the King of Glory" ~ Phil Wickham, from This is Amazing Grace

For the last week or so, I've been very emotional. We sang this song at church a week ago and the tears just started rolling. I'm an orphan again but not really. I'm not a minor, I'm not a child, I'm not without support or care, so I don't really fit the true definition of orphan. But I have lost both my father and now my mother, so in a sense I identify as an orphan, I am a daughter without parents. 

It's been almost two years since my last "In Her Arms" entry, and so much has happened. Sometimes I think I should have blogged more frequently so that I could better remember the details, but on the other hand, it is also good to leave the memories of chaos as a distant fog which slowly dissipates with the rising sun. My adoptive mother passed away just 5 months ago, and today the family will gather by the graveside to lay her remains with my dad's from so long ago. I suppose that's why the emotions have been sneaking up on me over the past week as this final good-bye was approaching. Saying our earthly good-byes brings into reality the fact that we are now the next generation. We have been left with no parents to walk by our side as we journey through life.

So many thoughts swirl around in my mind as I re-read those lyrics. For one thing, my chaos has been brought back into order. Being on the front lines dealing with an aging parent is a challenge in itself, but couple that with having to fight the decades-old demons of addiction and the mind and mood altering effects of dementia and it makes for a wild and crazy ride. As I look back, sometimes I wonder how I made it though in one piece, but here I am, relatively normal with minimal emotional scars, a decent sense of humour, and a thankful attitude. That my friends, is amazing grace.

I am also considerably young to have lost both parents (the first at 15, and now at 50), but as I reflect over how I once was essentially a true orphan, a mere infant without the care of either mother or father, then brought into a loving adoptive family, I can only marvel at the grace and care extended to me. I was also a spiritual orphan, lovingly brought into the family of God through my gracious redeemer Jesus Christ. And God in his infinite wisdom so carefully crafted the pages of my life story so that even as my parents have passed on, He has brought my biological mom back into the picture to stay. While one mother cannot and does not intend to replace the other, and neither does the presence of one nullify the grief of losing the other, it has been a precious gift that I marvel at again and again.

I've often told people that I've been adopted twice. Once into my earthly physical family, and once into my heavenly spiritual family. I suppose now I could even say I've been adopted three times, as I've now in a sense been adopted back into my biological family. 

I am a daughter of Dicky.
I am a daughter of Pam.
I am a daughter of the King of Glory.
Wow. This is amazing grace. 

The Gift of Shirlett

Greetings from beautiful Bermuda!

Today is my last day on this gorgeous island and I've thoroughly enjoyed my spontaneous 5 day visit. While I was able to do the typical tourist trek of visiting Horseshoe Bay (not only once but three times!), there were much more important matters on the island this time around.

You will know through this blog that in 2014 our family met our Bermudian biological family and we were welcomed with open arms. Well, just last year, we discovered that there is a cousin who lives in the States with a very similar story to mine, and she found her birth family as well...the very same family! In fact, our moms were pregnant at the same time, so Shirlett and I are only three months apart. This past Saturday, my beautiful cousin and her charming boys came to the island to meet the extended family for the first time and I was blessed to be a part of that emotional and moving welcome.

It's hard enough to put into words the emotions you feel when someone discovers their biological roots and it ends well. It's even more moving when you know what it's like because you have experienced that yourself but you get to now enjoy it from the other side. I suppose I should have adequate words to express my joy over this reunion since I have been there myself, but for now I only seem to have happy tears.

I have so enjoyed my time here, and I especially cherish the moments that Shirlett and I have been able to compare notes, exchange special glances, and connect on a deeper, emotional level. As we discover more about each other we are finding out more and more incredible similarities - God has been so gracious to give us the gift of one another as we navigate this beautiful journey we call life. ♥

Happy, Happy, Happy Mother's Day!

For me, today was a very unique Mother's Day! Although my adoptive and my biological mothers have had the opportunity to meet twice in the last couple of years, this visit was an extra special one because of the beautiful timing. I was blessed be in the presence of both of these moms this Mother's Day and celebrate what each of them means to me. My heart is overwhelmed and my soul rejoices at what God has done in all of our lives!

Year End Reflections: A Hope and a Future

The initial but discarded draft of this blog entry was much, much longer, and contained many details that would have helped to fill in the blanks about what 2015 was for me, with its unique challenges.

But let's just keep it simple. God knew what I needed and while I didn't know what was in store for me in 2015, He certainly did. And my ever loving Father provides for me in ways that I could have never expected or imagined, especially in the relationship with my birth mom that continues to flourish. She is a real blessing and a treasure given to me at just the right time in my life.

Today, I'm looking back at 2015 and thanking God for not only my faith, family and friends which have all been a great support through the challenges, but most importantly I'm thankful that we can trust in the One who knows the future even when we do not.

Wishing you all a blessed new year. Be encouraged!

Rights and Freedom, But at What Cost?

The most recent Saturday Star (August 1, 2015) ran an article about RU-486, the abortion pill, and while this blog is primarily about my search and subsequent reunion with my birth mom, I can't help but reflect on how differently things could have turned out for me.

You see, rather than look to abortion as a solution, my birth mother chose adoption for me.
Rather than death, she chose life.

The article speaks about the abortion pill being a "private tool of freedom" for women, and the writer, Heather Mallick, even addresses children in this article, impressing upon them that it's important to know every right that they have now has been hard-won. Really? How about the freedom for the unborn child? How about the rights of the unborn child? We live in a world that encourages rights and freedom, but when we choose to exercise these rights, we need to ask ourselves if we are enjoying our rights and freedoms at the expense of someone else's life and liberty. My birth mom put my needs and rights above her own, and it certainly wasn't an easy or convenient thing for her to do. Her self-sacrificial actions resulted in my life being spared, and today we can enjoy restoration and reunion with one another.

My point here is not to argue, judge or condemn, but rather to put a personal spin on what the pro-choice movement says about the value of my pre-born life, and essentially, of yours as well. The next time you support a view that claims unplanned pregnancies are disposable please think about the lives that have been graciously spared, or even think of me if you want to put a face to the anti-abortion cause, and thank God that not everyone is pro-choice, or exercises their "rights and freedom."

Forever grateful that my birth mom was pro-life.

Uniquely Blessed on Mother's Day

Recently I entered a local Mother's Day Contest in which I had to explain in 200 words or less why my mom is special. Those of you who have been following my blog know that condensing my story into less than 200 words is definitely a challenge! But here is my runner up entry:

"I not only have one special mother, but I am blessed to have two! 46 years ago, one of these wonderful women loved me enough to give me up in the hopes of offering me a life she was unable to provide for me at the time. The other special lady loved me enough to take me into her home in order to raise me and treat me as her own flesh and blood. Many years went by without my birth mom in my life, but just last year, I connected with her, and these two wonderful moms got to meet each other for the very first time last fall. Words just can't express the emotions and gratitude I felt that day when they could each thank the other for what they have done for me, and what they mean to each other. Although there is a physical distance that separates them (my birth mother is not from Canada), I am honoured to be the daughter that connects these two beautiful mothers. I am so uniquely blessed and thankful to God to be celebrating two moms this Mother's Day!"

This story may have placed second in the eyes of the local newspaper, but it will always be number one in my books.
I am definitely uniquely blessed.

I Have a Hope and a Future!

If there's one thing that this crazy journey of finding my birth mom has taught me is that wherever you are in life, or whatever circumstance you find yourself in, your story is not over yet. I've been writing from the perspective of an adopted child reunited with her biological mom, but really, my story could be any of yours. Your story might centre around loss of a child or a loved one, or an addiction that is wreaking havoc, it could be loneliness, unmet needs or dreams, it could be years of silent suffering due to depression or abuse. Whatever your situation, remember that God's not done with you yet. He has promised you a hope and a future when you trust in Him...His plans for you are good! Just come to Him, surrender your life, and let him wrap His loving arms around you.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope
and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

National Siblings Day

Today is April 10th,  which, thanks to numerous Facebook posts, we discover the fact that it marks National Siblings Day. Although it is actually an American holiday which honours the relationship of siblings, many Canadians are joining in with the posts and pictures, giving a shout out to their siblings.

Last year, I posted an old picture of my brother and sisters, thanks to April 10th falling on a Throwback Thursday. Here it is, enjoy the throwback to 70's clothing!

These guys have been an awesome bunch to grow up with, and even into our adulthood we still stay connected. We have been through both good times and some pretty challenging times, but I am thankful that R, H, and E are always there for me to turn to, they are a constant in my life. Although we all came from different biological parents, there was never a doubt in my mind that they were my true brother and sisters. Sibling relationships can be just as strong and lasting in an adoptive family as in a blood-related family.

This year however, I get to post yet another sibling picture. Last year at this time, although I knew I had a biological brother out there somewhere, I had not yet searched him out or met him. Technically, P has been my sibling for longer than any of the others, even though I've only known him for less than a year! How weird is that? Although we don't share a common past of childhood memories, we do share a common bond in having the same beautiful mother. Our actual relationship started later in life, but that does not make us any less of being siblings.

Regardless of how any of these brothers and sisters have come into my life, they are a blessing to me and I am grateful for each one of them, both adoptive and biological. Happy National Siblings Day!

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." - Desmond Tutu

A Gift to be Enjoyed

Many of us are excited that it is now officially spring. Not only was this past winter difficult for us, with the brutal extreme cold temperatures that seemed locked in for weeks on end, but for me, it was quite possibly the most difficult season of my life. 
I was battling emotional and physical exhaustion with dealing with my aging Canadian mom who transitioned from palliative care in the hospital, to a post-hospital stay, then finally to retirement living. Being on the front lines dealing with her transition took its toll on me and some of you are even aware of how our family has been personally hurt due to the declining health of my mom. Throughout this though, I am so grateful for my friends and family, who are cheering me on, supporting me, and keeping me in their prayers. 
I also have my birth mom by my side, encouraging me to go on, reminding me this can be normal with aging parents, and that things will indeed work themselves out and get better. I find myself more and more drawn to her motherly advice, love and encouragement. At times I have to keep my emotions in check and ask myself if I am "rebounding" as a result of a deteriorating relationship with my Cdn mom, but then I remind myself that Pam is a gift given to me by God. He foreknew all that would take place and I believe He brought her into my life "for such a time as this", to help me weather the storms and be a constant source of encouragement and joy in my life. No longer can I feel guilty for wanting to hear from her, for wanting to share my joys and my pains, for wanting to build that mother-daughter relationship. I need to just accept this relationship and this wonderful person for what and who she is, a gift from God. 
And gifts are meant to be enjoyed.

Happy First Birthday!

I turned 46 last week, and in a very unique way, I celebrated my "first birthday." Of course, it wasn't my actual first birthday, but it was that for some very special people in my life. This was the first time ever that my birth mom and extended family could wish me a happy birthday, so for them it was in fact, the first time celebrating my birthday, thus "my first birthday."

Up until now, there had been a certain element of wondering on my birthday from both ends. All those years that I wondered if she ever thought of me on my birthday, she wondered what ever became of me. It wasn't until this past year, 2014, that I discovered that she had in fact, thought of me every year (more like every day!) and wondered what became of her New Year's Baby. This year, although we weren't together to celebrate, we could celebrate the gift of life and the gift of a new year together with great anticipation and joy knowing that our days of wondering are over.

It is indeed a happy new year.

My Christmas Just Became a Little Merrier

This year is the first year that I get to celebrate Christmas with my newly found birth mom. Well, we're not actually celebrating together, but we can certainly celebrate across the miles with one another. Last week we received a bunch of Christmas cards from Pam and Pierre, which I know for a fact were chosen with love and care.

Reading through each one still brings tears to my eyes, and I treasure the sentiments expressed on each card. To my beautiful daughter, my daughter and son-in-law, my grandson, my granddaughter... and to my sister, nephew, niece. What an awesome event in our lives that we could both send and receive hand picked cards like this at Christmas. While finding appropriate cards was not easy (I challenge you to find one that says "To my lovely Island Mom whom I just met after 45 years!") I was able to find some that didn't highlight a history of growing up and of fond memories, but rather an appreciation for having them in our lives. And that is the sincere truth. My Christmas just became a little merrier because of my beautiful Bermudian family.

Peace and Joy

The advent season is upon us. At this time of the year, in addition to the Santas and snowmen, we'll see the words hope, love, joy and peace on a variety of items from Christmas cards to festive ornaments. These are some of my most inspirational words, and I have them hanging up on my living room wall all year long.

The other night, while speaking with my birth mom, those words came alive for me. It really struck me how my intent was simply to bring peace to her life in knowing that I was okay and that I was thankful for what she did for me. Never did I expect there to be such joy in the reunion, for the both of us! It's really quite a miracle that the simple hope I had in connecting with her has blossomed into a living relationship. It's truly a relationship of love. Both of our lives have been altered as we now journey together, sharing past experiences and making new ones. We look forward to what the future holds with great joy, hope and anticipation.

While I believe that eternal joy and peace come only from relationship with our Saviour Jesus Christ, whom we celebrate especially at this time of year, I am so very thankful that He in His goodness and grace allows us to experience a beautiful measure of those four advent emotions with others here on earth. May you also experience that same hope, love, joy and peace with God and with others as you welcome the Christmas season.

The 6 Month Mark

Today marks 6 months since my birth mom and I connected on the phone for the very first time. I still remember quite vividly that initial conversation which seemed surreal, that I felt I was peeking in on someone else's story. It was hard to imagine or fathom that the woman on the other end of the phone line was my very own birth mother with whom I had never even spoken until now.

Our conversations today are very different. Once in a while I still get that odd feeling of looking in on someone else's narrative, but for the most part, I know and feel that this is my story, our story, and most of all God's story played out in our lives. Pam is a very real presence in my life, and our conversations are no longer surreal. She is not only my mother, but also my encourager, supporter, teacher and friend. She bears with my complaints and she laughs with me over my follies. She does not judge when I shift from laughter to tears, and she understands me when at times I cannot put the words together to adequately express my overwhelming feelings. I reached out to her 6 months ago, just to simply thank her and let her know I was okay. And as unemotional as it sounds, I didn't really need her at that time. But now when I reach out to her, I fully realize that I do need her, and I am so thankful that she is in my life, she has become a very real part of our family, and I of hers. We marvel at what has happened in these past 6 months, and we are excited at what is yet to come.

Celebrating Both of My Moms

"Her children arise and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28a

Today is a very special day, the first time ever I get to wish my beautiful Island Mom a happy birthday! Although I can't be with her in person, she is certainly in my thoughts and prayers today as she celebrates another year of life.

Yesterday or today she should have received the personalized calendar I sent her for her birthday. For each month I customized the photos to match the people who are celebrating birthdays. Both of my moms have November birthdays, so this month's calendar picture is a real treasure.This was put together before my Canadian mom was hospitalized, and the collage evokes so many feelings and emotions. I'm sure I will speak to it more another day, but for now, I am celebrating both moms and counting my blessings.

Weathering the Storms

"In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil."
~ Edward Mote

This past week was a very stormy one for both of my families. While my birth family was dealing with not one, but two hurricanes that pounded the beautiful island of Bermuda, by Canadian family was struggling through health issues with my adoptive mom which included also not one, but two ER visits.  I am beat, weathered, frustrated, exhausted and weary. In the storms of life that attack us physically and emotionally, we often come out feeling battered and rendered helpless. We do what we can in preparation, or in wise advice, but really much of the outcome is out of our control, and often the results are not what we would have chosen for ourselves or for our loved ones. This week was a spiritual reminder though that when I am weak He is strong. When I don't feel like facing the challenges of a new day, He provides new mercies every morning. When I feel broken, He makes me whole. Despite what comes my way, whether physical or emotional, my soul still belongs to the One who protects and provides. There is no storm that can ever separate me from His love and care.

Ahead of Schedule, but Right on Time

I don't think you can go through a life experience such as this one, searching for and finding your birth mom, and not become reflective. This has been a journey with much processing for me, and not only processing the immediate, but also looking back to the past and coming to the comforting realization that God was there all along, weaving His little surprises and timing everything just right.

In our home, it was considered somewhat of a rite of passage for us as adopted kids, to be able to discover our original birth names. This usually happened at about the age of 16, when my parents felt we were mature enough to handle the information. It was a time that I looked forward to with great anticipation. I wasn't so much incomplete without that piece of information, but of course you grow up curious as to what your original name was. Would it suit me? Would I like it? Do I know anybody else with that last name?

When I was about 12, my dad ushered me into his home office. Thinking I had done something wrong, I was a little apprehensive, but there he was, with a piece of paper on his desk, and a smirk on his face. "Do you want to know your real name?" "Really? I don't have to wait until I'm 16?" I don't recall anymore if it was the actual adoption papers, but I suppose it was, as that was probably the only official document they had in their possession that bore our original names. What I do remember is that I was quite excited to find this information out, especially years ahead of the anticipated time.

It wasn't until years later, and especially in these past few months of deep reflection, that I really appreciated the importance of discovering my birth name ahead of schedule, not because of the satisfaction to me personally, but because of the bigger picture that God was painting. It was a special moment that I shared with my Dad, and one that would not have happened with him if he had insisted on me waiting until I was 16.

You see, my dear father passed away from cancer when I was 15. I believe with all my heart that God knows the number of our days and in His amazing wisdom and grace He blessed me with that wonderful opportunity to enjoy that unique rite of passage with my Dad. It will forever remain a treasured memory and a reminder of God's perfect timing.

Whatchu Talkin' 'Bout, Willis?

Recently, we have begun watching older sitcoms, and have been enjoying the family favourite "Different Strokes." While I had watched this as a kid, I never quite realized the blatant and shocking reaction that many people have to Mr. Drummond adopting two black boys, Willis and Arnold. While this sitcom illustrates and pokes fun at the ignorance of people, it actually hits a nerve, realizing that this kind of behaviour was quite rampant. Watching this now makes me even that much more appreciative of what my parents did for me, and for my three adopted siblings, in actually requesting the "hard to place" children from the Children's Aid Society. Here they were, as Dutch in accent, tradition and looks as you can get, and they had four children of varying shades of beige and brown. In the 1960's this was not very well accepted, and unfortunately my Mom and Dad even lost social invites and church friends over their decision to adopt coloured kids. In a world where biracial children and families were actually frowned upon, they were unconditionally accepting of us, and I will be forever thankful for my parents' tangible expression of how God sees us, not by the colour of our skin, but through the love and grace He has for His children.

"♪...red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight...♫"

Mom, meet Mom.

I had the incredible opportunity and privilege of introducing two very special women to one another.
One mother loved me enough to give me up.
Another mother loved me enough to make me her own.
On Friday, those two women met for the first time, and what a precious moment that was. My Canadian mom was in good spirits, good health and very good humour. In addition to her non-stop senior-style chatter, she was able to clearly express to my island mom that she is not jealous at all over me finding her and she is quite happy to share me with Pam. They were able to genuinely thank one another for what they had each done for me. What a blessing that there is much rejoicing in this reunion from both sides! I'm in awe over how all of this is unfolding.
While I may not have had the presence of a father for quite some time now, I'm so pleased to say that I am now blessed with two very beautiful moms in my life instead!

You've got mail!

Today, two very special documents and two very special people arrived at my house.

A few weeks ago, I registered for the post-adoptive information package, which for adoptees, contains the original birth registration filled out by the mother in the hospital, plus the adoption papers. Because of differing birth and adoptive names, these two documents together provide the legal documentation to connect me with my birth mother. Tourists cannot stay longer than three weeks in Bermuda, so I figured that if I can prove legal Bermudian ancestry, well, should the need (or desire!) ever arise to stay longer I want to be prepared. I was told the typical 6-8 weeks for government paperwork so I was not expecting to receive this quite so early. That in itself is pretty cool, but the timing gets even better.

Today Pam and Pierre arrived in Canada for a brief visit. Words cannot express how special it was to open this document with my island mom by my side, reading over the very form she filled out all those years ago in the hospital. The timing was just incredible.

Definitely a moment to remember. Thank you, God, for yet another amazing piece to this story.

Gone but not Forgotten

Today was a bittersweet day. While most of my Bermudian family was saying their earthly good-byes to our dear uncle, I had the sweet privilege of meeting a lifelong friend of my birth mom.

Over the years, "Aunt" Sandra's family opened up their home to many friends, including various members of my birth family. She still lives in that same location today. Although I could not be with the rest of the family today at the funeral, it was very fitting that I could be sitting in the very same house in Toronto with the very same friend whose family housed and cared for my island mom during her pregnancy with me. Soon after Pam and I connected back in May, I called Sandra to introduce myself. "We've been waiting for you honey!" were words that still ring loud and clear. We've talked a number of times over the phone since then but today was the first time I actually met her. What a pleasure and honour!

Ishmir, a cousin from Bermuda, also joined Aunt Sandra and I for the day, as she is in the Toronto area right now visiting other family. What a blessing for the three of us to meet, re-connect, reminisce, and learn more about each other and the family as we pored over old pictures and they shared family stories.

So to my dear family in Bermuda, your Canadian family sends their deepest condolences and please know that our thoughts and prayers have been with you as you grieve the loss of your dear brother, our Uncle Myron. Today's visit to Toronto was planned even before I knew of the funeral arrangements, so it was quite timely that in our own special way here in Toronto, we could honour him and spend our afternoon thinking of our loved ones in Bermuda.