This is my birthmother, Lori!
These are my half-sisters: Teneal, Keesha,(then Lori & I), and Jerelle. (Brynne is lives in Boise, and was unable to be there last night).
Same picture; just zoomed-in
This was such an amazing night. We talked for almost 4 hours, and could have kept talking all night. I was able to learn a little bit more about my birthmother, Lori, her family, and even a little about my birthfather, Don. Don is a Hero.
Quite literally.
He was a smokejumper (a firefighter that parachutes into forest fires). I don't know if many of you remember the Storm King fires in Colorado during July 1994 (I didn't remember, but I was 15 at the time).
It made national headlines.
Don saved eight firefighter's lives on July 6, 1994. He got them to safety, and went back in.
He never came out.
He died that day, along with 13 other firemen.
He is a hero. I admire him so much.
The History Channel made a documentary about the event, and recounted the events that took place that fateful day. I ordered the DVD last night before I went to bed. I received an email telling me it shipped today. I am so excited to see it.
I want to share more detail, and perhaps I will be able to later. For now, I hope this will suffice. I still need time to absorb it all. I am so happy, and yet so emotionally exhausted at the same time.
I'm so grateful for Derik and all of his support through this past week, and the past years. He is my biggest support, and my very best friend. Thank you, Derik, I love you!
Thank you to everyone, especially my family and Derik's family, and the McCuistions for being so supportive of me. I love you all so much. It means the world to me to have you by my side. Thank you!
And a special Thank You to Lori and her sweet family for being so kind last night. I am grateful for the kindness you have shown me, and am so glad to finally know you!
10 comments:
Wow Amanda-what a great experience. I am so happy for you and especially for the support you have from Derik and your mom and dad. It is so neat to know you from such a young age and now looking at you 30 years later and see who you resemble! How fun!
Lisa
This is SO amazing! I am crying as I sit here and read your words. Pretty AMAZING girl! :)
I too am sitting here crying as I read you post. Thank you so much for posting something. We are all waiting anxiously. Oh my gosh, can you say looking in a mirror?!? You and your birthmom look very similar.
Pants! I can't believe I missed all this! I haven't been on the computer in a few days... wow! So exciting! They all resemble you... how amazing! I am so happy for you that you got to have this experiance! That is amazing about your dad. I too am tearing reading your post, I'm just so happy and excited for you. It's really amazing how different families grow in different ways. I can't wait to hear more!
THat is WONDERFUL!!!!! You all look SO happy, and so beautiful! What a wonderful reunion!
Congratulations, Amanda! What a beautiful reunion!
Amanda that is so great!!!! I'm so glad to hear that everything went the way you hoped for!!! What a fun story!!! Taneal goes to Paul Mitchell! She started in the new class a little bit before i graduated!! CRAZY!! also crazy that they all do hair and SO DO YOU!! Wow, thats so cool!!! Thanks for sharing your story and pictures! love ya!
Dearest Amanda,
You dont know how many years my family and I have waited to find you and you finally found us (something I thought would never happen)... I hope and pray we get to meet you some day. You dont know what this means to us - more than words could ever say....
with Loving Thoughts,
Susan Mackey (Dons sister)
Tears, tears, tears, Wow! All I can say is AMAZING! Are you kidding that these things really happen? Amanda, I am so happy for you and honestly it couldn't have happened to a more deserving person. I love you and am so excited for you and your new family! Gina
Amanda, this is just amazing. I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear more. You look just like your mom, by the way.
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