A big concern of people moving to another country is staying in touch with family and friends. Internet was on my own “absolutely must have ” list. I actually see more of my family now than I did before because we use Skype and Facetime instead of just the phone. I can see my daughters while we talk and watch the grandkids run around which is totally cool!
Facebook has also added so much to our communication. We have a family group where we share messages, photos, and videos, and I’m notified when new photos and updates are posted on their pages. I communicate much more often with my sister, and have connected with friends who I haven’t seen or talked with in years.
Today though, I woke up to something that had the tears running down my face. My sister was also adopted. She searched for her biological mother a while back (unfortunately deceased), and eventually found an obituary of her mother’s brother that listed 5 children. My sister checked Facebook and sure enough, there were some of these cousins. She sent one a message and as they say, the rest was history.
Word spread among the cousins and the rest of the family, and they were thrilled to welcome her into the family. They all connected on Facebook, and she met one cousin who happened to live close to her. This weekend though she went to Boston to meet a whole lot more cousins and family members. This morning I saw photo after photo of my happy sister with all these new smiling family members! It’s a beautiful thing.
I wrote a post in the past about being adopted, about growing up not related to anyone, not connected with anyone else. Now to see my sister with all this family, all these new wonderful people who are being so welcoming to her, oh yes I needed a tissue.
An aside, in case you wonder, I found my birth mother when I was in my late 20’s and we have shared a very warm and happy relationship over the years. She and I communicate mainly by email but we are also connected on… of course… Facebook!
The Panama Adventure 
Hi Kris , I don’t post much but I always read your blog,, I just read ‘m what does a tourist do in David ,, I almost wrote you a happy birthday wish but I realized that was in 2016″””” anyway , my question is ,,, is your realestate guys info still current ?? ,, I’m now retired and looking to rent something say for a month or two to get a feel for Panama ,, wait I just realized ,, I can’t stay that long can I ,, I mean as a tourist,, David ,, I’m single and traveling alone
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Hi David. Yes, the real estate guy is still very much active in the area. riochiriqui@gmail.com Eduardo Horna.
You can stay for 180 days as a tourist.
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Thank you so much Kris,, does he do apartment rentals also??
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Yes he does
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Hola Kris,
This is my 2nd “feel good” story on facebook this week.
We just learned that one of my nephews and his wife have completed adoption of a son. They have 2 preschool boys and the adopted son is now the middle child. The three look like they have been together forever, all as bright as a new penny! And, they are expecting a new arrival late this summer (all of us are hoping for a girl!).
Congrats to your Sis on her new family members. First cousins in Panama are considered as brothers and sisters, that’s why they are called primos hermanos.
jim
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Oh wow, what a great story! Best wishes to your nephew and his family.
Yes, my sister’s new family are treating her like a sister. It’s a beautiful thing
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I just re-read your adoption post…Were you aware that Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s was an adopted child? He started a foundation to get kids adopted and out of foster care and his company goes to great lengths to assist its employees with adoption.
https://davethomasfoundation.org/2016-adoption-friendly-workplaces
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Now that you mention it, I think I did hear that somewhere. Good for him! It’s very hard for a kid growing up in foster care.
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Wow!!!
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Yes!
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I agree it is a wonderful tool for linking together when far away.. I am always thankful when my daughter travels to know we are only a click away.. 🙂
Wishing you well Kris.. xxx
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Yes indeed it is.
Thank you, and you too 🙂
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What a joyful post! I’ll tell you…it was really really hard for me in Cuba with a slow and practically nonexistent internet. But, now that we are in Mexico, I feel so much better being able to stay in touch with family and check on our house sitters.
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I know just what you mean! I missed being in touch with my family too. You don’t think how much we rely on internet until it’s not there.
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Great story, Kris. Glad she found her family and they accepted her into the group.
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yes indeed!
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I reread your 2016 post. You mentioned you were waiting for your DNA results. Are you related to royalty Chris
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Yes! British royalty:D No seriously, I don’t think so but it said I am 97% British which was a huge surprise.
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