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Dear Kinsolving,
This is one for the Vanguard with a very positive outcome and even brighter future. It has been two months since I met my biological son, Joseph and the world is a different place for me these days. I would sit in front of the television ad watch reunions on Oprah, Sally Jessie, and Montel. As i watched these shows, I would cry. I kept a positive attitude (well, not always) and I knew that someday I would find Joseph or he would find me. I owe you a million thanks and I will never forget you as long as I live. Your support and kind words will always be a part of my heart. I thought I would give you a description of our first telephone call and meeting.
My first telephone call to Joseph:
I finally worked up the nerve to call Joseph on July 22. This was sic days after receiving his information. My first call was at 7:00 p.m. and the line was busy. Well, I really got nervous. The second telephone call 3 minutes later, again the line was busy. Now I wait 5 minutes and call again. The telephone rings, the answering machine comes on, I listen to his message and elect not to leave a message. Now, I am really sweating, the butterflies are tremendous and I wait until 9:30 p.m. to call back.
Well, its 9:30 p.m. and I call back. The telephone rings and Joseph's wife, Deanna, answers the phone. I told her who I was, where I was calling from and I ask to speak to Joseph. Joseph answered the phone and I again explained who I was and then I started to explain why I was calling. Now total silence. i can hear Joseph in the background explaining to Deanna about the telephone call. I thought he was going to cry and I prayed that he would not because, I knew that I would breakdown and lose my composure. When Joseph got back on the phone he said,"I have just one thing to say." Well, at that point my heart was somewhere around my big toe and beating so hard I could see it through the top of my shoes. Joseph said, "thank you, I've had a good life and I have wonderful parents." Well, from here the conversation gets better. We talked, laughed, he answered my questions and I answered his (are you bald by any chance?) We talked for 90 minutes and before we ended our conversation we promised each other that we would stay in touch and meet when the time was right. I told Joseph that I would leave it up to him to call back. I wanted him to understand that I was not there to take over his life. Now 6 days to go by before he calls back. He called me on a Tuesday afternoon at work and said that he finally got up the nerve to call. I told Joseph that I knew how he felt.
Now the first meeting:
We decided to meet in Columbia, SC. This happens to be 30 days after our first conversation. As Joseph walked through the hotel doors it was just like looking in a mirror. We hugged and got down to business of getting to know one another. Up to the room we go, Joseph, Deanna, my wife Ann and daughter, Brandi. On the way to the room Brandi said. "Daddy, now I know what you looked like when you were younger." At this point I begin to strut around like a proud man. While sitting in the hotel room Joseph tells Deanna, "look at Jerry's feet, now i know why my toes are crooked." Well, Joseph takes his shoes off and shows me his toes.
We had a great weekend. One I will never forget. We promised to stay in touch and we do. We talk 2 to 3 times a week and another visit is on the horizon very soon.
Without your help my dreams would still be a dream. Again, thank you. You will always be a part of my family's life and in our prayers forever.
Your advice was well taken. I now realize that Mr S. went to great lengths to cover up the birth of Joseph but, he forgot one important thing, a determined father. It feels wonderful to be complete.
J.
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Dear Kinsolving,
Just a short note to let you know that I called my birth sister the evening I received her information from you. She was absolutely delighted that we had found her.
She too, tried to search for us but the agency wouldn't cooperate at all. Even the information she reviewed from them was not true.
We are planning to meet next month and are all counting the days. Thanks for giving me back my sister.
G.
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