Finding Serenity.

Serenity Prayer                                                                                 

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the different

This prayer ever since I was little has often spoke to me etched in my memory during many of life’s big challenges.  Looking at the history of the author, while it was originally written by the American theologian Reinhold Neibuhr it was his female collaborator and pupil, Winnifred Wygal who as a longtime YWCA official began to spread its wings across the nation sharing with other women involved in volunteer or educational activities associated with the YWCA.  No wonder I have always loved this prayer!  

The culmination of my medical history and ancestory investigation is shown in the picture below on the evening of December 8, 2019 almost 2 years since I discovered my biological mother, Sherry Jan Richey Gavlik and my biological father, William (Bill) Lester Kirkland.  For 2018 and half of 2019 I focused solely on getting to know and building a relationship that has been missing for the better part of 50 years with Sherry and her family.  In June of 2019 on the day of my son, Sean’s birthday after a final review with Sherry, I sent a letter to Bill laying out the discovery through ancestory.com of his relationship with me along with Sherry’s confirmation.  Since he had little to no knowledge about my birth, I expected his response to take longer.  He responded with such enthusiasm and excitement that he finalized his retirement while focusing on spending more time with me and the family.  In December following a job interview, I was able to spend some time in Texas meeting Bill’s family and having dinner for the first time with both my biological parents.  WOW!

 

Read my blog to learn more to this story!

At the encouragement of dear friends, family and colleagues whom I have shared my initial discovery and current adventure I have created a blog.  The intent of this blog is to give you, the reader, a recognition that it is never too late to find new life and courage (represented by the image of the butterfly), joy and strength (a simple yellow rose) to uncover your family origins.  I hope you enjoy each post and please feel free to share your thoughts and stories.