This week I want to begin the new year with as many reunion stories as I can. Reunions are new beginnings. Beginning next week, I will aim for at least one reunion story each Monday in the coming year. Here is
a story written by Marney Rich Keenan about reunions and how they fill in the void.

People have differing opinions on what reunions can provide. Some of the most ardent critics of reunion have no experience with them whatsoever, but have such negative opinions about birth parents to preclude any positive value to reunions. Some adoptive parents are very skeptical of reunions and their benefits. I understand that reunions are scary for some adoptive parents, and that they fear losing their children to birth family.

However, look around and see who touts reunions most often. Reunited birth parents and adoptees are the most enthusiastic supporters of search and reunion. Even adoptees and birth parents with less than ideal reunions still are capable of seeing the benefits. Although reunions help "fill the void," the void never completely can be magically repaired.

Reunion relationship have many facets that make them unique and very significant. Yet, like any relationships, the ones formed during grow or wither and die depending on the amount of time, energy and efforts both parties are willing to provide. As complex and difficult to form as reunions are, the benefits provide greater rewards than other relationships in your life. Although there are many ways to heal from the wounds of a closed adoption, none come close to matching the sense of resolution and healing that reunions may be able to offer.

Sometimes I hear people say that reunions are too hard and too much work. The pain of the past that they often revisit is a challenging part of the process. However, anything in life worth accomplishing generally requires hard work, dedication and vast amounts of time and energy. Reunion is no different in this respect. Nothing else can heal and offer the peace and resolution that reunion has the possibility to offer.