Christmas Miracles
This blog entry is going to be much different than those I’ve made in the past. It’s much more personal, but yet it’s something that I want to share.
Yesterday was a day that will always be remembered, because something absolutely amazing happened.
At 6:30am our phone rang, waking both Steve and I from a sound sleep. I listened to Steve’s sleepy responses: “Yes”, “Yes”, “Yes”, and thought for sure that a telemarketer from the east coast was on the phone, not knowing that we are four hours behind eastern time.
And then I heard him say, “Wow. I have been hoping for this day for a long time!” And I just knew it was Kayla.
Kayla is Steve’s daughter. I haven’t written about her before now, because the last time he saw her, she was only a toddler.
In the years between Steve’s first marriage, and our marriage, Steve had a relationship with a woman he met while stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. A child was conceived (Kayla), but the relationship did not continue. A little while later, Kayla’s mother met a man and they were married. That man adopted Kayla and raised her as his own. Steve no longer had any legal ties to Kayla, but he never stopped thinking about her.
Over the years, Steve and I remembered Kayla on her birthday - talking about her and wondering how she was doing. When she turned 18, we talked about the possibility that maybe she’d begin looking for him.
This past January, on Kayla’s 21st birthday, Steve and I had a long conversation about Kayla and he told me he’d like to try to find her. With the little bit of information we had, I started searching the internet for Kayla’s mother. A few months later, I found an address and phone number that I believed was for Kayla’s mom and dad.
Now that we had the information, we didn’t know how to proceed. It was such a delicate situation, and the last thing we wanted to do was bring any upheaval or stress to a family. We decided that if we were going to do anything, it would be to send a letter to Kayla’s mother.
The letter was never written. Life got away from us, summer came, we were busy traveling, and the idea of contacting Kayla’s mom was temporarily pushed aside.
And then yesterday, the phone rang, and Kayla was on the phone!
Kayla, doing her own sleuthing on the internet, stumbled upon this blog, found a photo of Steve posted on this website and confirmed with her mom that he was indeed the man who fathered her.
She wrote me an email - using the email address on my website - in which she told me about herself and her family and asked me to please forward the email to Steve. I could tell, by the way she worded the email, that she was afraid I wouldn’t tell Steve she had written. I suspect she had fears that I would be resistant to their re-connection, when in reality that was the farthest thing from the truth!
I didn’t even see the email she wrote me until after she had already found the courage to dial our phone number and wake us from sleep yesterday morning. And wow - courage indeed! I give her a lot of credit for taking that huge step and actually dialing our number - not knowing what sort of reception she’d receive on this end!
She and Steve talked for a long time, even though he was half asleep. She told him she’d call us later in the afternoon, when he woke up (he’s on night shift and had just fallen asleep after finishing a 12 hour shift). When she called us again yesterday afternoon, Steve was wide awake and much more coherent! In fact, he told me he hardly slept a wink; his mind was racing with the realization that Kayla had found him.
A little more about Kayla: She’s 21 years old and is married to a wonderful man named Robert. They are madly in love with one another and were married a few years ago. Three months after they got married, they found out they were going to have a baby. Their son, Colt, was born in April 2007. He’s now about 19 months old. This means that Steve is a Grandpa! Which I guess makes me a Grandma. *grin* According to Kayla, she and her husband are “just a couple of good-hearted country people“.
In the past two days, a flurry of emails and phone calls have been exchanged. I talked to Kayla for a good while this morning. She is a lovely young woman, with a good heart and a kind spirit, who loves her family immensely. Our conversation flowed quite easily, and I enjoyed getting to know her.
Kayla is a remarkable young woman, and I give all the credit to her mother and father. They raised an incredible woman, with a loving heart, and strong loyalty to her family; loyalty to her husband and child, as well as to her parents. How blessed they are to have watched Kayla grow from a little girl into a poised and well-spoken young woman!
What does the future hold for us? Although we are now in possession of several photos of Kayla and her family, I know that Steve would love the opportunity to spend some time with her - in person. Perhaps she can come to visit us sometime. She loves to fish, and we do have some of the best fishing here in Alaska! And since I’m not so enthusiastic about standing in a river casting a line for hours, I know that Steve would enjoy the company of someone who does enjoy it.
No matter what happens, we have adopted the attitude to expect nothing while welcoming everything. I think this is the best way to embrace the situation. We are open to whatever Kayla - and her family - are comfortable with. Our intention is not to distract Kayla from the parents she knows and loves in NC, but merely to get to know the young woman that those parents loved, nurtured, and poured their heart and soul into.
We feel certain that getting to know Kayla - and her family - will enrich our already blessed lives.
Here is a photo collage I put together using some of the photos that Kayla has emailed us:
What a wonderful Christmas present Steve has received with yesterday’s phone call! He is positively walking on air! I am so happy for my husband - and for me too.
Susan,
How wonderful for you and Steve to connect with more family, especially at this time of year. I’m so happy for all of you - Steve, Kayla and her family and you. What a tremendous gift. Merry Christmas to all of you.
[Reply]
Comment by Linda Douglass — December 19, 2008 @ 4:40 am
Susan,
I would like to thank you for writing such a beautiful blog about me, my family and this remarkable miracle. I truly believe in my heart that you and my Dad are soul mates. Because if it was not for you and your website I may have not ever found my Dad. Thank you and I will always have A place for you in my heart for all that you have done. I love you both very much and have a blessed day! Give my Dad a big hug from me and his grandson!
~Kayla Melton~
[Reply]
Comment by Kayla Melton — December 19, 2008 @ 5:38 am
Well this brought tears to my eyes! How awesome and precious! I hope the future holds good memories for all of you! And you are grandparents! What an opportunity for all involved to add more “good people” into your family!
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Comment by Karen — December 19, 2008 @ 5:46 am
What a miracle this is and to land in your lap at this time of the year, is just wonderful! Truly a blessing! What a beautiful daughter and Grandson Steve has. I’m just thrilled for him and for you! I know how delicate this can be for all involved but it sounds like this is the beginning of a wonderful new relationship between a young lady and her birth father. I truly hope you all get to meet eachother soon!
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Comment by LynnMN — December 19, 2008 @ 6:59 am
How truly beautiful for everyone involved - including us who read your blog - who said there could not be Peace on Earth? And a new dimension of beauty has been added to your family’s future. Be well.
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Comment by Mary — December 19, 2008 @ 7:56 am
How wonderful!! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow. I am so happy for you all! Our prayers are with you as you get to know each other. Merry Christmas!
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Comment by Kim in MS — December 19, 2008 @ 8:44 am
I will admit that I am the eternal optimist, but I seriously think Colt looks a little like Steve. Is it just me? Blessings to all of you!
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Comment by Charlene — December 19, 2008 @ 11:58 am
What an absolutely wonderful Christmas story! And yes, it brought tears to these eyes also.
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Comment by Rose — December 19, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
Dear Susan and Steve
Thank you so very much for this wonderful story of Steve’s Daughter Kayla What a heart warming story also
Susan as you can see By having your Blog website She was able to find her Father That never would of happen
without it It also brought a tear or two and a lump to in the throat So wonderful that Steve not only has his Daughter Also a real good looking Grandson Colt His Daughter and her Husband Bobby are really great looking pair What make this so wonderful It has happened just before Christmas God just Blessed Steve and you as well by giving you both a GrandDaughter and a Great GrandSon Again What a Very Wonderful Story Now hoping that some day all will be able to get together Only God knows that will happen Love From John and Shirley
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Comment by John & Shirley Strauser — December 19, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
I want to scoop little Colt up!! What a handsome little boy! A beautiful family discovered after all these years. Hoping for many blessings ahead as you enter this next phase of your lives.
(Susan, I’m not at all surprised at your loving attitude. I bet you and Kayla will quickly become very close)
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Comment by Another Susan — December 19, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
What a wonderful blessing Susan and Steve! Last August when I was in Fairbanks, I remember you saying you were hoping to be a grandmother and look…your wish came true! This story filled my heart with joy and hope for you both. My hope is that you and Steve get to see your new addition to your current family in person soon. Merry Christmas and onward to a great New Year!
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Comment by Lea Ann — December 20, 2008 @ 8:16 am
Susan, your wonderful story has made me cry with a lump in my throat. What a wonderful Christmas this will be for all of you. What greater gift could God have given you and Steve than a daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. You are all so blessed. God does work in mysterious ways. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
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Comment by Marylyn Jessup — December 20, 2008 @ 10:04 am
WOW Moogie and Steve, Soooo that makes me……..?
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Comment by Brother Steve — December 22, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
Wow Susan!
I am visiting family in Az. and just found some time to catch up on your posts since your Madison trip, and I am SO HAPPY for you and Steve! Colt is absolutely adorable! I hope Kayla and her family will be able to visit Alaska sometime, I know that you and Steve will be a fantastic addition to their lives! I can tell Kayla is an amazing person from her comment above! What a great story, thanks for sharing with us! Happy (late) birthday’s to you asnd Steve, and Merry Christmas! Loved the Christmas in Ice photos!
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Comment by Heidi (NV) — December 23, 2008 @ 10:24 am