In this article entitled Days before her death, mother gets wish of complete family a story unfolds about a family with ten siblings long separated. The two youngest children were taken from the mother and placed by adoption. In 1988, both of those children were found.

This month after 40 years of waiting, searching, hoping and praying, Gunnerson's prayers were answered at 7 a.m. April 14 by a handsome cowboy who came and stood by her hospital bed.

Daughter Sandy reunited with her mother immediately. She had already contacted the Children's Home where she and her brother Ken had been relinquished to adoption. Sandy had contacted the home due to serious medical issues and a need for medical information.

Although Helen Gunnerson's son Ken was found in 1988 as his sister was, he was not ready to meet his birth mother at that time. Ms. Gunnerson's son, Ken had phone contact with his birth mother for several years, but could not bring himself to visit her. He said that he declined a visit out of respect for his adoptive mother. Finally, he came to meet her days before her death when he was called and told that she was dying.

A family photo was taken with nine of the ten siblings and their mother. One sister had passed away many years ago. The last family photo taken of all the siblings was taken in 1967.

One of my deepest wishes is to have my three children all together and posing for a photograph. With a significant birthday coming up, I had dreams of it happening on my birthday. However, those dreams are probably just that, and it is unlikely that my children will meet anytime soon. I hope that my wait to have my children together takes less time that Helen Gunnerson's did.

They tell their story, said Bonnie, "to give others searching for family members hope."

Sometimes I wonder if people not separated by adoption are aware how strong that need to reconnect really is much of the time. Rarely is the need a fleeting thought that goes away. I have spoken to many people separated by adoption who want reunion, and nothing seems to sway them in their desire to reconnect. Even people in their eighties still have their curiosity and need to know.

Photo by Jan Baker

For more resources:


Reunion defined.

Lost and Found - my Daughter