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NuclearDreams
01-17-2009, 06:10 AM
I mentioned here once on the Den that I grew up without parents. Since I was three I've only seen my mother once. I also have two half brothers I've never seen before. A third brother and I were split up by the state when I was ten and I've never seen him since. Five months ago I hired an American private investigator through an agency here in Germany. Two months before Christmas she Fed Exed me the telephone number, address and some photos of the youngest half brother. After I made contact with him I found out that he and his wife had been looking for me for several years. They had created accounts in MySpace and Facebook with their names listed so as to make it easy for me to find them if I ever looked. I, unfortunately, didn't know his last name which is the reason why I would have never found them that way. He had been in contact with my other two brothers and most importantly my mother. I couldn't believe it, it was like winning the lottery.

My mother was sixteen when I was born. Shortly after, she landed out on the street with no support from family. She turned to drugs and prostitution which resulted later in the placement of all children she had in the Foster Care system. Apparently a few years ago her youngest son decided enough was enough and took her away from all the mess she was in and moved from California to Idaho. My youngest brother lives there now with his wife, five kids and my mother. Three weeks before Christmas I called the half brother in Idaho. We talked for about an hour before he decided to give the receiver to our mother. I could hear him talking in the background, "Mom there's someone who wants to talk to you". She asked who it was, and he replied your oldest son. There was a pause and then I heard her break down and cry. She cried for ten minutes before she could take the receiver, and when she did I said, "Hi mom it's Keith". She dropped the phone and cried again. My brother had to picked it up and hold it to her ear, and between her tears all she could say was, "I'm sorry" over and over again.

I can't really put into words the emotions of that moment, but I can tell you that was the best Christmas present I've ever had.

A lot of information has since come into the light. I found out that my father lives in California. I haven't made contact with him yet...one thing at a time. My wife has been extremely supportive. I guess without her I probably would have just broken apart in small emotional pieces over all this.

I don't hold a grudge against my mother. I've made some bad decisions in life, but I have also made some very good ones. I believe God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and three kids and I have a good life regardless of the past. Situations in my mother's life spiraled out of control after she became pregnant at fifteen. The fault lies with the family who refused to help her at a time when she desperately needed it.

Why am I writing all of this in a gaming forum? Since this all happened I purposed to let anyone who would listen know that life can take a turn for the better. Even if you have lost your identity, and you have no family foundation to build on you can still make it. Your legacy can be the life you yourself build from the lessons you pull from the ashes and from the blessings that fall from the sky. Not to boast but since I left the Foster Care system at seventeen, I have achieved a masters degree in Law Enforcement, was employed by the U.S Air Force, made some investments that have contributed to my early semi retirement, married a fantastic woman (16 years married) and fathered three wonderful kids. You can do it too, just don't lose hope.



I just want you all to know that we have planned a family reunion in Idaho this summer. I'll let you know how it went.

Nilsog
01-17-2009, 07:45 AM
Thats great man, Im so happy for you. I was taken from my parents at the age of 3 and placed in foster care. My father moved back to Maine (from Seattle) when I was 4 and I was in the custody of my aunt and uncle at 5. Needless to say my mother didnt have much to do with me except when it was convenient. Both her and my father have been in and out of substance abuse so much I foget the amount of times I've been bounced back and forth between parents and aunts and uncles and friends. My father has just recently cleaned up after another close brush with death and my mother has been sober for about 5 years now. At first I wasnt sure how to go about seeing them, but I decided that it was in my best interest to forgive them and see them as much as possible because they wouldnt be around forever.

I live about a mile from my father right now. My mother lives out in Sacramento and I visit her as often as possible. Spent 2 weeks there in December. Growing up without a steady set of parents is definitely difficult and I still get depressed when Im at a friend's and their parents are around- but I would never change the way I was raised because I am sure it made me the man I am today.

I'm happy for you man, best of luck with the reunion!

truefeel
01-17-2009, 08:02 AM
Damn man, I never faced such a thing, but I can imagine it takes alot of good will, courage, etc. to hold no grudges. I hope everything will work out with your parents :).

Proudy
01-17-2009, 10:09 AM
Wow, You've had a lot gone on in the past, I hope everything goes well for the reunion and the future of your family. :)

SiDeWiNdEr
01-17-2009, 10:43 AM
Holy be....

All the best to you mate. Hope eveything goes as well as it can. Looking forward to the reunion news!

ChopBam
01-17-2009, 11:26 AM
This would have been great to post on WFC. It's pretty amazing.

C4
01-17-2009, 11:32 AM
...I said, "Hi mom it's Keith".
So now i know your name...:)
I can't really put into words the emotions of that moment, but I can tell you that was the best Christmas present I've ever had.

My wife has been extremely supportive. I guess without her I probably would have just broken apart in small emotional pieces over all this.
I understand how you must have felt...and keep feeling.

Why am I writing all of this in a gaming forum? Since this all happened I purposed to let anyone who would listen know that life can take a turn for the better.
This forum have turned to be a lot more than just a gaming forum. In true, game related topics/posts are less than others.
I just want you all to know that we have planned a family reunion in Idaho this summer. I'll let you know how it went.
I found your story so emotional i can't have proper words to tell you how happy i am for knowing this... I just can't. I just had no idea about it. It really is a blessing when someone, who went through rough paths, achieves his deserved prize.:)

Scoot
01-17-2009, 11:51 AM
Glad you were able to find her, and some of the answers you were looking for.

Toxic10x
01-17-2009, 07:01 PM
Wow Nuke, fantastic. I can't begin to guess the feelings you're experiencing except to say they must be pretty incredible. Congratulations? Is that the right thing to say? I think it will do!

You're a great guy by all accounts and I'm happy for ya.

NuclearDreams
01-18-2009, 04:11 PM
Thanks all for your support...it means a lot. :)

Slapper
01-18-2009, 07:18 PM
Im happy for ya Nuc. Goes to show upbringing and family history and past bad experiences arent always the deciding factor in what people become. You seem to have all a man could want now, this is like the cherry on top. Grats man, really.

Its all about love man...

You can do it too, just don't lose hope.


Exactly man, exactly...

Statalyzer
01-19-2009, 12:05 PM
Thanks for sharing this. I'm looking forward to hearing about the reunion...

Alpha and Omega
01-19-2009, 01:47 PM
Thanks all for your support...it means a lot. :)

This is what you get when you're in the Den family. You didn't know when you registered that you were joining a clan, did ya? :p

Thumper
01-19-2009, 01:54 PM
i really wanted to make another "punch you both in the face" joke here, but instead i will wish you happiness in your future.

kyle
01-19-2009, 06:51 PM
That was indeed a heartwarming story. I'm sure you must be very much looking forward to this summer, and I wish you the best of times. :)

Battlestar
01-20-2009, 06:52 PM
I can't really put into words the emotions of that moment, but I can tell you that was the best Christmas present I've ever had .....



It's stories like this that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Good on yer Nuke. I hope your family reunion is all you want it to be. :color3:

With all the bizarre crap that happens in this world every day, it's good things like this that make me (and indeed most of us) realise it isn't all bad.

:gnarly: