The Other Part of Me

Me at 17, two months pregnant but not knowing it.

While I am waiting for more news from the traveler, I thought I would tell you a story about the other part of me.

There has been something missing from my life. I have tried to fill this empty hole with something else or someone else over and over again. The pain of loss never goes away no matter how hard you try to replace or ignore it. It is true that the heart can be broken and the soul can be ripped in two and torn. There is no peace of mind only temporary stillness. When I left my newborn son in the arms of a stranger I could only hope that the choices others made for me were the right ones. His tiny fingers curled around mine for one last time and holding my breath, I tried to hold back the tears and failed. I learned then that common sense can be cruel. I tried not to look back as I left the hospital but I realize now that I have never stopped.

The Musician, 2 days old.

Years went by and time healed many scars. Yet, every now and then a small blond haired boy, a certain song, or a faint smell of something familiar would open that scar causing me to bleed again. That is when I would climb into that empty hole and realize just how alone I was. Lucky for me there has always been someone there to help pull me out again.

Fate had been kind to me. I had 3 beautiful and healthy children as well as a loving husband.  The little blond haired boy had become a man. The song was all but forgotten, yet there was still a faint smell of something familiar that hung in the air. I tried not to dwell on this. I stopped myself whenever I started to wonder where he was, what he was doing and if he was happy. As it turns out I no longer have to ask myself these questions. Fate has been kind to me again.

On the other side of the world there was a young man who also felt a missing part of his life. His search for me began years ago while his parents were still alive. He never gave up hope, and he never stopped trying. Armed with just the name of an Adoption Agency and a helpful social worker his search was made easier by the wonderful world of Facebook.  The social worker found me, contacted me and put the two of us in touch with each other. 

Thirty- four years have passed, and it has been almost two months since he found me. The bond between us grows stronger. No one has ever made me fall in love so fast. Not for one instant has there been a stranger looking at me through the camera lens of Skype. How could there be? All I ever see in his face or hear in his voice is the missing piece of my heart. Yes, we still have a lot to learn about each other, but what a wonderful discovery each day brings. My son, who I will call the Musician (yes he is quite a talented one) will be traveling to Minnesota this Friday to meet his sisters for the first time. He has never had a sister or brother before so you can imagine his excitement as he comes face to face with another part of himself that has been missing.

This journal is about so much more than one daughter and her trip to the states. The Traveler, the Artist, the Musician, the Actor and myself; we are all traveling on a journey towards becoming a family at last. There are many who take this journey with us and many still to come.

Celebrations

The Traveler found this nest outside her sisters door. This picture reminds me of how dependent we are on one another, even on such a day as today. It is the 4th of July and Independence day. A day for celebrations in the USA. It is also a good day to celebrate birth. Since I am an American living in another country I think about this day as Americas Birthday but I do not celebrate it with picnics or fireworks. I am simply reminded of creation itself and the wonderful exploration of life that we are all entitled to. So for all of you around the world, Happy Creation Day! Explore it wisely.

The travelers first encounter with Golfing. She was the designated golf cart driver.

On Skype together for the first time. I do love Skype!

The Traveler has been busy trying out (and on) many firsts! Golfing, Cabin Cruising on the St.Croix River, Sushi (she says, YUK!) and Victoria Secret (she says YUM). Today will be her first 4th of July celebration. Let's hope she has fun.

This is a journal recording my Daughters (the Traveler) journey to the states to meet her Sister (the Artist) in Minnesota and her Brother (the Musician) in Denver for the first time.

The Imagine Nation

In a world of dreams where everything is possible I like to imagine that there is a pill for just about everything. If we do not have time to sleep there is a pill for that, and once we swallow it we are totally awake and refreshed. Food is also something we do not always have time for. Open the magic pill bottle and swallow a delightful and nutritious meal, without the weight gain. Are you low on inspiration or need creative guidance? Maybe you need a super power which enables you to snap your fingers and your house is clean. Moving at the speed of light would come in handy if you need to be someplace or with someone in a hurry. After-all, in a world of dreams anything is possible.

Last night sleep evaded me so I took a trip to the Imagine Nation and found such a bottle of pills. The night was mine alone. I no longer needed sleep or food, time had become irrelevant. As I watched the sun rise and stretch across the sky, bright colors of inspiration formed a canvas. A beautiful canvas that in my minds-eye is impossible to erase. I am traveling at the speed of light right now. With each and every word I visit you. A piece of me has touched you, wherever you may be in the world. Would you like such a bottle of pills? All you have to do is go to the Imagine Nation and ask.

Have  a wonderful day using your imagination.

Big Sister, Little Sister

MY DAUGHTERS JOURNEY TO MEET HER SISTER AND BROTHER

 The Traveler hiking in the mountains

My daughter the Traveler grew up hiking in the mountains. At an early age she learned how to pack, how to fold a sleeping bag and how to ski. The mountains have always been home to her. She loves to fish and dreams of one day having her own kayak. She is a child of nature, just as comfortable whether she is in the mountains or by the sea. A talented artist, she sold portraits in order to save money for her trip this summer. She is independent, strong willed, artistic, sporty and most definitely adventurous. Although she listens to heavy metal, she has an appreciation for all kinds of music. She sings in a choir and plays the guitar in her spare time. 

The traveler  with her brother the Actor before she leaves for the states to meet her sister and other brother.

Growing up with an older brother, she learned the fine art of spitting and other such boyish charms. Now the Traveler is discovering the joys of having an older sister which includes; Shopping, clothes, make-up and sister secrets. This is going to be interesting to watch. The Traveler is already wearing pink and a skirt. She has gone shopping and bought a ton of make-up, she is even carrying a little purse.

 Waiting for one of the elves at the Doctors office. Poor little elf, the excitement got the best of him.

Like I said this is going to be very fun to watch, will she survive the suburbs and American fast food? Will the elves share their toys? What will it be like meeting the rest of my daughter the Artists family, including my ex-husband? I hope you guys find this just as interesting a journey as I do. She may be traveling alone this time, but I feel as if I were right there beside her. More tales from the Travelers adventures soon.

Nippies Dreams

 The Final results of Nippies Dreams

Nippies dreams were being polluted by a new flower that snored so hard that snot covered everything, and sleeping became impossible......

But that time was different! The snot was poisonous and Nippie was in deep, snotty trouble!!!

The flower snuffled and shifted, but the snot still poured out and the snoring continued.

She couldn't help but rub it into her face. The dried up stuff dried out her delicate fairy skin, making it hard to move her face. 


She got out of her flower bed, and dashed to the nearest stream, and knelt beside it. It looked mucky, but she splashed some onto her face.


Fluttering wings flapped behind, and in front of her. "Oh no," the voice said. "Your face is covered in pooh."

Pooh? Yelled Nippie not realizing that snot is just nose pooh.
I will you with a plastic fork you inconsiderate lion...

That's when Elrod the inconsiderate showed up. Because that, of course, is what Elrods do. Only this time, he was out of character. He had brought a pooh-pill for Nippie.

"What am I to do with this pile of pooh?" Shrieked Nippie.


"Damned if I know," Elrod said, scratching his bald head with one single stand of combed over. "I was told to deliver it to you Nippie from this weird dude I came across in the forest."



Nippie held her nose and tears splashed down her face. "Pooh ... who knew?'

She swallowed the pill while Elrod stood holding his breath. Nippie started to spin faster and faster, pooh flew off her like missiles and exploded in the air. A soft dust of anti snot fell to the ground and covered the garden. Nippie yawned and turned to Elrod. “Look and listen, no more snoring, no pooh, no snot. Let’s get some sleep!”

Here are the talented writers of this piece of Gibberish:

Elisabeth Hirsch

Talli Roland

shelly

Craziness abounds

Bryce Daniels

Michael Di Gesu said..

CPSWA Members if you do not have a certificate please feel free to take one now.

Members as of June 29,2011

Talli Rolland 

Bryce Daniels 

Emily Rose  

Craziness abounds

 Michael Di Gesu

Jan Morrison

Ixy

Elisabeth Hirsch

Susan Fields

Melissa Bradley

Ellie

sue

Laura Eno

Gregg

damyantiwrites

Rachel

Hart Johnson

Debbie

Hilary Melton-Butcher

N. R. Williams

The Golden Eagle

Lucy Adams

Luana Krause

Linda H.

Bossy Betty

M Pax

Looking forward to playing again with you next month

Anticipation

MY DAUGHTERS JOURNEY TO MEET HER SISTER AND BROTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME.

 Can you imagine the anticipation you would feel as you travel halfway across the world to meet you sister for the very fist time? My daughter got off a plane yesterday, tired but with a nervous heart and huge blue eyes she scanned the crowd of strangers looking for a familiar face. This summer my posts will be filled with the adventures of my daughters journey as she meets her Sister and Brother for the first time. She is traveling alone, but soon it will be my turn.

First stop Minnesota-The Artist and her family

The Artist is my second child from my first marriage. After a terrible divorce and a complicated story, I moved to Norway and she stayed with her father in Minnesota. She disappeared from my life until last year when through Facebook she found me and her half brother and sister. We have spent this past year getting to know one another and this journey has been more wonderful than I could have imagined.The artist has a beautiful family and I have become a grandmother to these two funny and cute little elves.

My youngest daughter, who I shall call the Traveler for now, has been so excited to have her big sister in her life. The two of them have spent alot of time learning about each other and discovering just how much they have in common. My little Traveler has always known about her sister and it has meant the world to her having this missing piece of her life back in place. Two sisters, one heart.

Walking through a crowd of strangers, two sisters met for the first time and tears of happiness touched each others shoulders as they embraced. The drive home was neither short nor long. Sitting between two small elves, 6 years of children's stories was an entertaining way to start the Travelers journey.

More on the travelers journey as it develops.

Nippies Dreams-Gibberish Time

 Today I thought it might be fun to take a little break, and play Gibberish. There is nothing better to cure the Monday Blues with. The rules are easy. Minnie starts a story line written in Gibberish and those that want to play continue on the storyline from the last comment posted, in the same style. If you decide to play along there is a certificate at the end as well as membership to my elite group called the Controlled Patriots of Standard Word Abuse. (CPSWA) If you don't understand or have not played this before you can click on the following link to see more about how the game is played.

GIBBERISH a game for silly fun.

Nippies dreams were being polluted by a new flower that snored so hard that snot covered everything, and sleeping became impossible...... 
 (Your Turn)

"Time to rattle those brains of yours. I did my part, lets see what you got!"

Completed story posted soon. How soon, depends on you guys.