A Life Altering Decision

On July 16th, Brad had gone off to bed a little early so I stayed up and watched tv for a while.  It was a Thursday night and there is nothing on so I was channel surfing and came across a pbs station that had a program on about adoption.  It caught my interest so I watched it.  They stated that many states have changed their laws about sealed records and more are changing all the time.  So I went into the computer room and looked up Washington and, sure enough, they had opened the records.  I printed off the necessary paperwork and went to bed.  After returning from swimming, I filled out the papers and made out the $20 check and got the request in the mail.  Then waited patiently.  About a week and a half later I received an envelope from the State of Washington.  I was soooooo nervous to open it.  Maybe the family had requested that no contact be made.  But inside I found my original birth certificate, case number and finalization information.

I decided to start a new family tree in ancestory.com with me as "infant Mikelson" as listed on this original birth certificate.  Those cute little leaves just wriggled all over the place!!!  Mom was right about me being the third-born.  But I had no idea that there would be an additional four siblings from my birth father.  I took those names I found and got on Facebook and did some super sleuthing!!  I would find a name and then go under their friends list and compare and narrow down the names of those I felt were my siblings.  Then I sent out facebook messages to the few that I felt confident about and waited.  Carrie Cox was the first I communicated with.  She would be a niece.  I friended her to ask her to let her mom know that I had some info for her.  She said her mom didn't get on facebook but she'd be happy to get the message to her.  So I sent her a snapshot of my birth certificate with some explanation.  I think I shocked her and maybe creeped her out a bit that I could make connections like I did.  I think it happened so easily because it was meant to be.  I heard from Dean next and he was on his way to Sturgis to the bike rally and said he would contact me when he got home.  And he did.  He made my day when I got a text from him that said, "Hi Sis!!"  I don't think I've ever been called that in my whole entire life!!  He shared the info with two additional sisters and one additional brother; six siblings in all.  Wow!!  It wasn't long until I had talked to each of them and they were all so welcoming and excited to know that I am here.  It feels like we have always known each other and are just catching up after a long separation.  It's awesome!!  I've also communicated with Nancy Mikelson, who is married to Lloyd, a brother to my birth father.  She is so sweet and I look forward to meeting them.

I am flying to meet them all on September 10th.  I told them to wear name tags -- I'm horrible at names.  I'm excited to meet them, but anxious for the flight.  Going alone is scary.  But Brad said this is something just for me.  He will save his leave for hunting I think.

I am so grateful that Mary Jane chose to let me go to a loving home with parents who couldn't have their own children.  I remember asking Mom once a little more info about my adoption and she told me what she knew and then said, "Why all the questions, Kathy dear?  I love you."  So I didn't ask again.  I didn't want to, in any way, hurt her feelings.  But now I feel she's fine with it all.  In fact, maybe she and Mary Jane are cheering me on together??  With the encouragement of James Theodore Mikelson.  There has to be more than just luck to have had this all happen so quickly and easily.  I just hope I'm not a disappointment.

Brad is worried that I may not come home, but I have assured him that I purchased a round trip ticket and that they all will be happy to see me return to Idaho after a few days.

Dean sent me a few pictures:

 Jerri, Ted, Sherna, and Becky

 Top two: Jerri and Sherna (sisters)

Bottom row: Ted (brother), Becky (sister), Dean (brother)

--other two are Dean's siblings through his mom--

My birth father, James Theodore Mikelson, with Dean's first child.

So, tell me, how blessed am I??  My whole life I knew I was adopted and now at just the right time I make connections that have welcomed me and make me feel less lonely somehow.  Life is good . . .