I feel like this is the best time to start writing again.  Having retired and  taking the summer off to completely relax was the best plan I think I’ve ever made.  I needed the time to unplug from work life and remove all notifications from my phone to help me enter this new stage of life.  Of course, the biggest part of the summer was gearing up for my reunion with my blood sister, Linda.

A quick recap of our lives apart and together.  We were both adopted here in Ottawa about 15 months apart.  Linda, adopted by Wim and Marilyn, was brought to live with them in Pembroke and then later returned to their home in British Columbia.  I was adopted by Don and Dot and lived my life here in Ottawa.  Linda and I first met 38 years ago when our mothers had connected and decided the time was right to let us know about each other.  

This summer we hit replay and planned a similar trip.

Our adventure began with my arrival in Calgary on August 8^th.  Linda picked me up to bring me on the hour-long drive to her home in Red Deer.  When our eyes met, we both immediately started crying.  Our embrace was fierce and like a moment had not passed.  I was clearly in the advantage position while she drove, I got to stare at her and shake my head at how similar we are.  Our voices are the same other than her slight westerner touch to her emphasis on certain words.  I’m assuming she could clearly identify the Ottawa Valley dashes in mine.  

We arrived at her cozy home where she lives with her long-time partner, Gary and 3 kittens.  We spent a few days there and had dinner with her son, Lane, and his new family and lunch down by the river with her daughter, Rachelle and a visit with her daughter, Kaylee in Calgary on our way out.  We then took the 8-hour drive north to Dawson Creek to where the rest of her family lives.  

We stayed with her mom and had lots of visits with Linda’s siblings.  Having seen all her childhood homes, visited the mall and bought matching shirts and afternoons spent at pubs just hanging out, we went back to Red Deer for our journey to Ottawa.  Linda’s family treated me like one of their own and we had lots of great moments, but one moment will warm my heart every time I think of it.  It was my final hug from her mom Marilyn.  She held me so tight and whispered in my ear, “Chrissie, you are my seventh”.  

This time with Linda was so special and I feel blessed to have her back.  I choke up even as I write this to know I have her back in my life.  Adoption is often very painful and can be filled with loss.  We ponder why we had such a long separation.  I have a perspective on this that I will share. 

First, there are 2 very distinct relationships between blood and adopted families.  Both Linda and I are extremely close with our adopted families and I know that neither of us use the distinction of blood and adopted family members unless explaining our dynamic to others.  The differences are there but it is difficult to explain.  Second, I wonder if others are afraid to reunite because of the fear of rejection.  There is quite a bit of this in the adoptive world and I think it’s a real fear because you hear it all the time.  Our own mother chose not to meet us when we reached out over 38 years ago and we lost her without ever meeting.

I will forever have this summer as one of the top experiences in my life.  I will write further about my pride in bringing her home and connecting her with many of the important people in my life.

Love all your family because the more you have to cherish, the better!