I remember it as if it were yesterday. There was a knock at the door, as I opened it, it was to GOD's greatest surprise. It was a Fedex messenger with a certified letter for Angelle Smith. I quickly tore into the envelope to find a letter from California Department of Family Services (defects, as the kids call it). What could this possibly be? There must be a mistake, I don't have any children in the system anymore. i had lost custody and parental rights years before. The last one had been Ledjn and his foster family had asked to adopt over 10 years ago, so what could this be? As I opened the envelope, I saw that there was to be a change of venue for Ledjn-Ari Reed, but why are they contacting me? I have no rights. I immediately phoned the social worker on the case, to find out to my surprise that the adoption that I had consented to and given up my rights for some 10 years prior had not gone through. They had run into a glitch, which had stopped the process and now, 10 years later, they were wishing to reinstate the proceedings in order to move out of state. To be honest, I was truly thrown for a loop, what exactly did this mean to me. I had given up my rights years ago and had released him in my Spirit. I had come to live with him "belonging" to another family and now how would this letter and phone call alter all of our lives. I listened attentively as the social worker explained how and why the proceedings were terminated. Ledjn, who she kept referring to as Derek, being 12 years old, had to know that I had responded to their letter. She asked if I minded if she told him that she had located us. I told her of course not and if possible, I'd love to meet him and he to get to know his brothers. The next day while I was at work, I got a call from my oldest son, Taj, saying that there was someone on the phone named Derek, saying he was my my son.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!