"My Bro's Visit"by Sheri Nork |
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How can this adoptee possibly describe the intense happiness I have about my dear brother Mark? Hmm…the reader can’t even see my smile, so I’ll do my very best to elucidate, in these mere mortal words, this refreshing surprise.
A touch of background is in order first though: Whenever I thought about searching for my bloodline, I naturally only thought of my mysterious birthparents. Sure, having siblings would be nice, but that was about as far as my thoughts had ever explored the possible siblings idea (until I started dating). I knew my destined responsibility was locating my birthparents. Well about 3 years ago, through Search Triad, my birthmother was located. She told me she raised two children; which meant I had an older brother and a baby sister. Within a few short weeks, we all met in their hometown in Nevada. For me, not being a question mark any longer was pacifying. After that initial meeting, my siblings and I have remained in contact through phone calls and e-mail. On a Sunday afternoon, about 3 months ago, my brother called me. He spoke of taking his family on vacation to Disneyland in August. He also added that he wanted to see me again, so on their way they would like to come to Arizona for a few days for a “Sis” visit! I was astounded that he wanted to have some of that precious vacation time with me. Their traveling plans were then made for Arizona too. Once at the airport to meet them, I observed people hugging their loved ones who were boarding and departing flights. As I watched those strangers, I wondered about when Mark and I would see each other; would we embrace? At last, their delayed flight landed. Smiles were all around when we spotted them. Without any hesitation from either of us, Mark and I just hugged! Yep, we sure did. After that, we then said “Hi”. That delightful hug turned out to be symbolic of the feelings we shared during their visit. The following day my husband and I took them on a daytrip to Kartchner Caverns near Tucson, AZ. During the 3-hour drive to and from the Caverns, Mark and his wife shared many stories with me. After the Caverns, we met with a cousin who lives in Tucson that he has not seen for 26 years. I enjoyed stepping back into his life’s memories with him. Mark truly has a dazzling wife and two good-natured kids. They accepted me into their lives whole-heartedly. His wife & I have already started making plans for their next Arizona visit! Their kids didn’t seem to mind at all having a new cousin to play with…who has four legs. This family was a fulfilling joy to spend time with for 3-days. Besides having a mirror of my nose, the strongest quality I see in my brother is honesty. Prior to Mark’s visit, when I spoke to others, I mostly referred to him as “my eldest sibling” or “my birthbrother” or “my newly-found brother”. Now, I’m proud to have a “Bro” or “brother” in my life, instead of those previously mentioned. I feel he is a gift. | |
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An UPLIFTING ReunionOver 3 years ago, through Search Triad, I was reunited with my birthmother! I also discovered and later met my brother Mark & sister Kelli, too. My mother and brother have separately traveled to visit me at my home, but I had only spent time with my sister on the day we met. We have all kept in continuous contact through phone calls and e-mail ever since. I am delighted they have warmly accepted me into the family. When my brother came to visit, he also brought his wife, Terry, and their two, good-hearted kids. During their visit, I mentioned to Terry that I wanted to skydive. She immediately exclaimed, "Me too!" Before they left, I asked her again if she was completely serious about skydiving with me. She was! I quickly started to make the arrangements, since I now had a fun, enthusiastic skydiving accomplice. Once Mark realized that we were actually going to jump, his attitude changed. "If two women can do it, so can I." My husband would not jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but my brother would! All the arrangements were made for Valentine*s weekend. We would only have to wait 6 months for our uplifting adventure. The arrangements were set: my brother and his wife would fly in from Reno, NV; my husband & I would fly in from Phoenix, AZ and we would meet in Las Vegas, NV on 13 February 2003. Two days later, Mark, Terry, and I would feel the rush of air on our faces at 13,500 feet altitude while falling 120MPH! So much fun was awaiting us! After Kelli heard about our plans for Valentine's weekend, she made arrangements for her & her husband, Mike, to come along too! Their anniversary is on Valentine's Day. She eventually decided to join our thrilling skydiving adventure, however neither of our husbands would jump. Those two men would remain grounded together. With Kelli & Mike meeting us in Las Vegas too, the excitement quickly intensified! Remember, I hadn't seen my sister since the day I met her, over three years ago. Once Kelli was definitely going to meet us, skydiving, for me, just wasn't as exciting anymore. Seeing her again held my excitement; jumping out of a plane was now only a bonus. Considering the magnitude of my yearning to skydive, I am puzzled I felt that way, but I did. On Valentine's night, all three couples had a nice dinner and then enjoyed a Cirque Du Soleil show. The following day finally shined through at last ~ skydiving at Las Vegas Gravity Zone! Mark, Terry, Kelli & I could not all jump from the same plane, so we were split. Kelli & I flew together first. It's ironic that she was the first to tandem jump, since she was the last one to join our "catching air" group. Next was my tandem turn. I had such an enjoyable, FANTASTIC experience from jump to landing! (Matter-of-fact, Gravity Zone selected me to be on their website: www.lvgravityzone.com then click Testimonials.) After Kelli & I each landed with our tandem instructors, it was then Mark & Terry's tandem turns. Kelli & I would now watch scenes like our moments-before experience, with our still grounded husbands beside us. FUN! When I first joined Search Triad in 1998, to help find my birthparents, I had only two beneficial expectations: I needed medical information and I sure was hoping to see someone I looked like. I hoped to have siblings, but I only envisioned knowing about them with a possible brief encounter. I never once thought I would have any type of bonding friendship with them. I am definitely "flying high" with this fun pair! Mark "Bro" and Kelli "Bubbles" are great! | |
 
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