Nationwide — For Dr. Grace LaJoy, an African American woman from Raymore, Missouri, every visit with her birth mother is a treasured gift. On Saturday, March 16, 2025, she embarked on a journey of love and devotion, visiting her long-lost mother for the third time. She was accompanied by her daughter, son-in-law, their three-year-old son, her niece, and her niece’s two-year-old daughter, each of them eager to embrace the warmth of family.
Wanting to bring comfort and joy to her mother, Dr. Grace came bearing thoughtful gifts, a selection of toiletries, a gourmet box of cookies, and a small financial token of love. Most importantly, she captured their moments with an instant camera, ensuring her mother had tangible keepsakes of their time together. Laughter, stories, and tender exchanges filled the room, strengthening the bond they were blessed to share.
As they sat together, her mother reminisced about her favorite things—her love for crocheting, the simple pleasure of a warm meal, and coffee. Taking every word to heart, Dr. Grace and her family returned the next day, Sunday, March 17, with gifts tailored just for her—crochet needles, soft yarn, a hearty chicken dinner, and a personalized coffee cup. To make the moment even more special, they connected Dr. Grace’s mother with family members via video calls, giving her the joy of seeing her long-lost son and grandchildren. “I can’t believe I have so many grandchildren!” she exclaimed, eyes twinkling with delight.
Wanting to ensure her mother was surrounded by care and appreciation, Dr. Grace extended her visit an extra day, staying through Monday, March 18. She met with the nursing home staff, sharing stories of her mother’s talents—her graceful piano playing, her intricate crochet work—hoping to inspire them to nurture her mother’s passions. Before leaving, she lovingly gifted her mother a fresh jar of coffee and creamer, a small gesture that carried a deep meaning of love and remembrance.
As the visit came to an end, saying goodbye was bittersweet. Her mother’s eyes filled with longing as she asked, “You’re leaving!? When are you coming back?” Grace felt guilty, but calmed her guilt with the thought, “Well, she left us, and she doesn’t want to come to live closer to her children, so I’m not going to hold on to a lot of guilt. SHE made the choice to live far away, not me.” On the way home, she grappled with her thoughts but found solace in knowing that, while distance separated them, love kept them close. She carried with her the warmth of their time together and the promise of their next phone conversation.
Closing remarks from gifted author Dr. Grace LaJoy Henderson, “As a result of our initial reunion back in 2018, and the emotions surrounding it, I was inspired to document my journey in a series of memoirs — books that detail not only the challenges and heartbreak but also the triumph of perseverance. Finding Mother After Five Decades: A Story of Hope, Reuniting with Mother: A Story of Tenacity, After the Reunion: A Story of Acceptance, and Diary of Emotions: Thoughts and Feelings provide an intimate look at my journey of discovery, reunion, and healing. These memoirs are available on Amazon in both Kindle eBook and softcover.”
Another literary gem from Grace LaJoy includes A Gifted Child in Foster Care: A Story of Resilience – also available on Amazon.
For more information about Dr. Grace LaJoy Henderson and her work, please visit GraceLaJoy.com
For press inquiries or media interviews, contact poetry@gracelajoy.com