My “Thank You!” to Leigh and the Jurick Family!

Anyone who is familiar with our blogs knows that this has been a powerful experience, full of emotion and connections with the past. Like a tree, there is at least as much under the soil as above.

I know that it has been a difficult experience for some of Rosie’s family and I want to take this time to thank them all, but especially to Rosie’s mother, Leigh. I want her to know how grateful I am to have Rosie in my life. I know that the situation was difficult and that there has been much pain, as well as other emotions. I want to thank you for providing her with a stable home and helping her to be the wonderful person she is now. . . and for her very existence!

My gratitude to Neil, the father who raised her, was stated in Rosie’s blog, but again, I am thankful that he gave her what he had to give and treated her as his own. If his children should ever be in need of someone to talk to in a fatherly way, I hope I can repay my debt to him with my ears and advice.

I want to thank her sisters, Monica and Lilly, for being true sisters to her. Her love for both of you is clear and strong. I hope we all can celebrate the healing and love that is now happening in our lives.

Jonathan came along later, Rosie was almost a teenager when he was born. I know that he and Rosie still have some exploring to do about their relationship. I am grateful that he and his girlfriend, Liz, came to Trabuco Canyon to meet me and hope that we can spend more time getting to know one another as adults.