Hey y’all. I want to take a quick second to thank all of you for your heartfelt messages, emails and comments. They mean so much to me. I am overwhelmed by the number of adoptees who, because of my post, are reaching out to Search Angels. I hope you find as much success, and comfort, as I have. So, where did I leave off? Oh yes. Last week, Daniel had begun unraveling my genealogy in hopes of finding my biological mother. Well, are you ready? He found her. Truth be told, Daniel was pretty sure he had found her ten hours after he started my search. TEN HOURS. I mean, it’s unreal. Answers to questions I had been mulling over for thirty seven years came to him in ten hours. It’s still hard to believe. Here are the specifics. Last week I received a text message from Daniel stating he was pretty sure he had found my biological mother but needed to do a little more research. Thirty minutes later, he texted he was sure. I was without words, and for those who know me, I am never without words. My first question was, “Does she seem normal?” Daniel ( God love him, he already needs to pray for patience after dealing with me for ten hours) responded that she was alive and all signs pointed to stable. To tell you the truth, I was unbelievably calm. I think it was just so surreal that I couldn’t quite wrap my brain around the whole thing. Daniel asked if he could call me the following evening, so, for the next 20 hours, I was in a holding pattern. I started to get extremely nervous about an hour before Daniel was set to call me. Thank God my neighbors are my friends and allowed me to babble for 45 minutes straight. I was about to receive information that would change my life, good or bad, forever. My phone rang, and Daniel asked if I was ready. First, he emailed me a copy of my grandfather’s obituary. Next, a picture of my biological mother’s engagement announcement. When I opened the second email, I could not believe my eyes. I felt as though I was looking at a picture of myself, minus the 80’s hair. Words do not exist to describe such a moment. When you have spent your entire life wondering where your nose, eyes, chin, mouth – every single feature – comes from, and then, in one second, all of your questions are answered. It’s earth-shattering. From there, Daniel sent me my entire maternal family tree, dating back to 1742. He built my entire maternal family tree. This stranger spent days searching for my relatives, just to give me something. He has no idea what he has done, not just for me, but for my children and their children and their children’s children. There is so much more that transpired, but I know what you are waiting for. Did I reach out and connect with her? Well, yes and no. I tried but no response thus far. Everyone keeps telling me all of the rational things – she may not have received my messages or she may no longer have that address or she needs more time. All of these are plausible and could certainly be true. I’d be lying if I didn’t say some part of me believed as soon as I hit “send,” my phone would start ringing, and she would be on the other end of the line. But, it didn’t, and that’s OK. Just like with any other let down in life, I have to find the good in the situation. And you know what, I don’t have to look far. I am so blessed by all that Daniel has uncovered. I have names, pictures and stories. Pieces of information I never thought I would have. But most importantly, I was given the opportunity to thank her. To let her know she can be at peace knowing she made the right decision all of those years ago. So no, I don’t have any regrets about hitting “send” back in October. It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but worth every single moment. Adoption is the most incredible gift a human can give, in my humble opinion. It is not something that happened to me, but something that happened for me. I am the luckiest woman in the entire world, and I am more empowered than ever to try and not waste a single second of this unbelievable life an unbelievably strong woman gifted to me thirty seven years ago. If anything changes, I will certainly let y’all know. Now, to the yummy stuff!
Meal Plan for the Week of 1/27/19
Sunday, January 27th – Spiced Shrimp and Pearl Cousous – I adore pearl couscous. It’s one of my favorite foods. Not quite sure why, but I just really love it. I will not have verjus rouge but no doubt will have some kind of red wine on hand to sub instead!!!
Monday, January 28th – Sriracha Tuna Salad Wrap – If I survive this week I will be pleasantly surprised. The girls have a performance this evening so I will have zero minutes to cook. My plan is to throw this super easy tuna salad recipe together Sunday so all I have to do is throw it in a wrap, or on top of lettuce, when we get home. Feel free to double if more than two are eating:
1 can of tuna, 2 tablespoons greek yogurt or mayo, 1 tsp of soy, 2 tsp sriracha (or more depending on your heat meter). Mix it all together and that’s all she wrote. I will top mine with avocado because everything is better with avo.
Tuesday, January 29th – Lemon & Dill Baked Cod – I have a HUGE work event on Saturday so I need really easy recipes. This one is just that and obviously healthy to boot. Feel free to sub any white, flaky, fish!
Wednesday, January 30th – One Pan Sausage, Potato & Asparagus Bake – Super straight forward, family friendly option y’all. You can use green beans if you don’t like asparagus – honestly, you can do you in this dish. I love the idea of sausage, potatoes and asparagus so I’ll keep mine as is.
Thursday, January 31st – Roast Pork Tenderloin with Green Beans – This is a spice rubbed tenderloin, which can be hit or miss, but I really enjoy the flavors in this one. Even better that you don’t have to marinate the thing. I always forget to marinate.
Friday, February 1st – Super Easy Stir-Fry – I will sub chicken for the turkey breast peeps. I have my Costco chicken in my freezer so no sense buying something I don’t need. Love a good stir-fry!! Is it seriously February?
Happy, Healthy Eating Friends!
XO ~ Kelly D.
Mary Anne Camp says
Lemon and dill cod is what I’m looking forward to making!
But gee, first of all I have to wipe the tears of joy from my eyes! Happy for you
Dining with the Duffys says
Thank you Mrs Mary Anne!!!!!
Rosa Oswald says
Gosh girl!! I am at my parents and just shared your post! Give us goose bumps we are so happy for you! My daughter Morgan’s mom made a good decision too giving her up to Brooks knowing she could not care for her and then I stepped into the picture at age 2. Her mother passed away a couple of years ago from drugs, hep C, and cirrhosis of the liver. Morgan is thankful her biological mother made the right decision for her child’s life knowing it would be better. But thank you for sharing it was great to hear!! Love the blog it is fantastic from the stories to the food, it’s a fabulous treat to look foots each Friday! I get a glass of wine and start reading:) Take Care! Rosa
On Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 4:30 PM Dinner with the Duffys wrote:
> Dining with the Duffys posted: ” Hey y’all. I want to take a quick second > to thank all of you for your heartfelt messages, emails and comments. They > mean so much to me. I am overwhelmed by the number of adoptees who, > because of my post, are reaching out to Search Angels. I hope you ” >
Dining with the Duffys says
Rosa, how kind. I love yours and Morgan’s story and the incredible gift you have given her. You were born to be a Mom and it seems like you are a super one at that. Love to you and your fam!!!
Diane Meyer says
Love you Kelly!!💕
Sent from my iPhone
>
Dining with the Duffys says
Love you!!!
Kelli Adams says
Thank you for sharing these tender moments. I’m praying for peace, grace, love, and joy to cover your journey. ❤️kelli