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Brother and sister unite after 46 years Posted: Sunday, Aug 19, 2007 - 10:49:58 am PDT By KEITH KINNAIRD News editor
At the age of 4, Priscilla Nelson learned she was adopted thanks to a neighborhood kid with a big mouth. Her adoptive parents confirmed the revelation, but its impact didn't sink in right away."I was just too young to really understand," Nelson recalls. "I said, 'OK.'" But over the following couple of years, the questions piled up in her mind and the sense that something was missing expanded. She loved her parents and the older sister she grew up with, but she still longed to see her face in the face of another -- the crease of a mouth, the pinch of a brow or the profile of a chin.
Her parents encouraged her to seek out her biological mother when she turned 18, if nothing else to find out her medical history. Curiosity overcame apprehension in her mid-20s and she began seeking the puzzle pieces to complete the picture of who she is. Telephone book listings provided leads, but no connections. Years passed and Nelson moved from the Los Angles area to Sandpoint, hopeful that the migration would heal a faltering marriage. It didn't, but Nelson couldn't lose the feeling that the move meant good things were on the horizon. Nelson's feeling was confirmed upon meeting her current husband, Guy. But she had no idea what else would transpire. It started with Nancy Johnson, a judge's secretary at the Bonner County Courthouse, where Nelson was working as a deputy clerk. Johnson, a genealogy enthusiast, found the contact which completed the circuit in 2001. Nelson was elated and confidently composed correspondence with the expectation of a reunion, but she wound up with another crater to traverse. Her advances were summarily rebuffed in the interest of maintaining the cloak of the past. "I didn't even think she would reject me. It didn't even enter my mind," Nelson said. "I was never more hurt in my whole life." Nelson, 51, was devastated, but hoped time would erode any defensive barriers. She continued to reach out with Christmas cards and photos. They came back to Nelson stamped "Return to Sender." Nelson, now the county's drug court coordinator, filed the feelings under "What Could Have Been." Then Barbie Aney came to town and urged her to re-open the drawer. Aney, who works down the hall from Nelson as a deputy clerk for the county commission, had a feeling Nelson's story had additional chapters. Aney's Internet sleuthing confirmed the intuition. Richard White posted a notice on the Classmates.com Web site for a 30th high school reunion on July 19. The same day he received an e-mail from Aney through the site at his home in Albuquerque, N.M. Aney's message was seeking confirmation of personal information, such as the name of his birth parents and questions about siblings. White, 46, sent a salty reply, figuring Aney was an Internet scam artist. He also called his mom and dropped a bomb by asking if he had a sister. His mother was vague, but ultimately said, 'no.' But White's mother called back and confessed he did indeed have a sister. "She dropped the bomb back on me," said White. Aney was mortified her e-mail had backfired badly, but White sent an apologetic follow-up reply and arrangements were made for a telephonic reunion between to two long-lost siblings. "It's probably the most rewarding thing I've done in my life because I felt I did something really important for somebody else," said Aney, who is finding her calling connecting people. Nelson and White first heard each other's voices on July 21. Nelson said her nerves jangle and heart palpitates each time she relives the moment. "I called his cell and said, 'Hello, this is your sister,' and we both just cried," said Nelson, who also tears up when recounting that first phone call. They have stayed in daily contact ever since and a bond formed as though it had always been there. They found their pattern of thinking and speaking quite similar. Ditto work habits and food preferences. They even finish each other's sentences as though they were twins. White and Nelson met face-to-face for the first time on Aug. 15. "Yes, I cried. It was just very warm. I had a mini meltdown and gave him a big hug," said Nelson, who always wanted a brother. White, a principal at a surveying firm, marvels at the chance aspects of connecting with his sister. "If I hadn't been on that particular Web site ..." he said, with Nelson quickly adding, "... you would have missed the whole show." White's wife, Courtney, said the physical resemblance is obvious, but the most striking similarity between the two are their hearts. She is thrilled White and Nelson connected. "Now we have this whole other family," Courtney said. Nelson and White have now taken to encouraging others who have questions about their parents and siblings to seek answers. "It can really prove to be a boon in their life," said Nelson. Lynne Anderson wrote on Aug 29, 2007 1:44 PM: " I am so happy for you and Rick. It was a delight to meet Rick and Courtney. It is amazing how much you and Rick look alike and have the same wonderful sense of humor. You deserve this happiness in your life. Well done story, Keith. " Al Beard wrote on Aug 28, 2007 2:34 PM: " How wonderful for you both! I'm so happy for your good fortune, Pris. I'd love to meet him also. Great Days!!! " Aunt Vera Brady wrote on Aug 27, 2007 1:27 PM: " Conratulations!! I'm oh so happy that you have found each other. Life can be beautiful, can't it!! " Barbie Aney wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:47 AM: " I just want to thank Priscilla and Rick for letting me be a part of this wonderful reunion. After meeting Rick and Courtney, Priscilla could not have asked for a nicer family. Her life is now complete. I can't think of a nicer person this could happen to. This was a win-win situation for everybody. What a blessing this has been to all of us! Good Luck and I wish them many happy new memories together! " Audrey Landingham wrote on Aug 27, 2007 7:52 AM: " I just wanted to say that know one deserves this more than Pris does! She is a one of a kind person, and a true friend. I could not be happier for both of them. Great story! " Richard White wrote on Aug 26, 2007 6:21 PM: " I would like to say thank you to all of our friends and family who have posted comments on this site, and a special thank you to Keith Kinnaird who wrote the story, Keith you did a great job.
This has been an amazing experience meeting my family in Sandpoint, what a great family. I have met many other wonderful people in Sandpoint one being Barbie, what a sweetheart!!!!!. My sister Pris, will be visiting Courtney and I in Albuquerque during October, where we will introduce her to her family in New Mexico. We have a big list of things to do, one being attending the Baloon Fiesta, it should be a great trip for Pris and us. We will keep you posted.
Rick " Priscilla Nelson wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:39 AM: " Keith did an outstanding job capturing the spirit of our story. We are so grateful for the time he spent and the skills he used to articulate this in such a warm manner. Thank you, thank you, Keith! " Todd Swanson wrote on Aug 23, 2007 3:28 PM: " I can say that I have had a very similar experience. I was married right out of high school and had a daughter soon after. The marriage did not last and soon I split up with my wife. I found myself back in Albuquerque NM and started my life over again. I lost contact with my ex and my daughter. Not knowing where they were I continued to believe that I would never see my daughter again. Last year around the end of summer my daughter found me on "My Space"!!! It had been 12 years and she was now 14years old!!! We finally reunited this year and spent a couple of weeks together!! The amount of joy that overcomes a person when they see and talk to a loved one whom they have just meet or have not seen in so long, is the most heart worming thing that anyone can go through besides child birth. Congratulations Rick!!! I am very happy for you and your sister. " Nancy Julian wrote on Aug 21, 2007 5:44 PM: " I am trilled to have heard this and lived apart of this thru my friends- Courtney and Rick. They are the most fabulous people and friends I have ever met. It is truelly a Miracle of GOD!!!!! I wish BOTH families my best and hold this story deep in my heart! " The Johnsons-Albuquerque NM wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:53 AM: " It is so awesome that they have found each other, we wish them the best. You just never know when a miracle is going to happen. We can't wait to meet her!! " Yurtax dollars at work wrote on Aug 20, 2007 10:52 AM: " Much is done at the Courthouse, and accidently, even work. " Hilery Bowers and Family, Las Vegas Nevada wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:25 PM: " I wish Rick and Priscella the very best. Rick has been my big brother for over 15 years and I love him very much. He is a great brother in law and Uncle and God father to my kids. We can wait to meet Pricella and her family. I am glad they found each other. " POST YOUR OPINION
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Bonner County Daily Bee
P.O. Box 159 / Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 / 208-263-9534
Bonner County Daily Bee Online is updated at 10am PST.
Ed Cohen wrote on Jan 21, 2008 12:14 PM:
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