Hauoli La Hanau Mom

Mom & Dad 1950 

Today is my birth mother's birthday. The significance of this is not lost on me. She's only been a part of my life for a little over a year now, but really we've been a part of each other's lives for the WHOLE of my life.

I still get shivers when I think about the fact that I was born only one week before her own birthday. After we met, one of my sisters told me that, upon reflection, Mom always seemed a little sad on her birthday but no one knew quite why. God bless her, she was sworn to secrecy. I can't imagine giving up my baby at all, let alone giving up my baby so close to my own birthday. Yet I know she did what she had to do. It's complicated, and emotional, but I understand, and I love her for her sacrifice. It wasn't just me; in love and concern for our welfare, she gave up my sister Loke, and my brother Lono as well. How do you care for 14 children without help? I bet when their birthdays came, she would think of them as well with each passing year. Our stories are so different in so many ways, but alike in so many others.

I'm one of the lucky ones. I have a happy ending to my story. The family that I was estranged from are no longer strangers to me. They embraced me though they knew nothing about me until just last year. I was a surprise to them, but now, it's as if I had always been there. I love them for that and so much more.

Happy Birthday Mom. Thank you for having me.