SUN CITY – When Del Webb resident Jim Rice set out to uncover his family’s medical history, he did not anticipate the surprises in store.
Sun City Resident Jim Rice displays his family photo album, which now holds pictures of his sister, brothers, and father. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
Only one month after the search began, Rice not only received the health records but also word that he had three biological siblings – and a father, still living – whom he had never known. Rice had lived with his adoptive parents his entire childhood.
“In February 2011, I went to an organization called WARM, or Washington Adoptee Reunion Movement. They handle adoption reunions in the state of Washington, where I’m from,” Rice said.
Rice planned to use WARM “more for medical history, than anything else,” he said.
“The fact that I was getting older, and since I have three daughters, made me think it would be nice to know what our family medical background was. I didn’t expect to find my natural dad alive. I was hoping that I would maybe find a sibling.”
Contrary to his modest expectations, WARM found Rice’s two brothers, Cliff and George, sister Vondalee, and his father George Gosselin, who recently celebrated his 102nd birthday. Rice, the youngest of the original five Gosselin children, had been given up for adoption at birth.
“WARM got me in touch with Cliff, and we started communicating back and forth and then with Vondalee shortly after that, and finally my brother George later on. Then on June 21, 2011, my wife Joan and I went to Phoenix and met Cliff and my father George. Vondalee flew in from Spokane,” Rice said.
The reunion, according to both parties, was a joyous one.
“It was wonderful to meet such a great son. He really impressed me,” George said.
“I was amazed at how well it went because I think everybody was a little apprehensive initially,” Rice said. “There was some concern that this was a scam, of course, and you have to take that into consideration.”
However, any concern of conspiracy melted away, especially upon sharing old family photos.
Jim Rice (center) with his brother, sister, and father George Gosselin (bottom right) at their reunion. (Photo provided)
“As soon as we started looking at family pictures, we noticed that the resemblance was uncanny. There are a couple of military pictures of myself and my brothers in various stages, and sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who,” Rice said.
In addition to comparing histories, Rice had the opportunity to spend quality time with his father, including an afternoon chat on George’s outdoor swing, according to Rice’s brother Cliff Gosselin.
“I had a chance to talk to my father and hear his life stories,” Rice said. “He’s a great storyteller. He was a cowboy and a carpenter.”
Even now, Rice’s father still enjoys a horseback ride. He recently took a trot on a local horse named “Smokey.”
Rice and his father still talk on the phone frequently, ever since they were reunited about one year ago.
“It’s been wonderful. I’m so glad he did the search,” George said.
Rice’s original purpose of tracing his family’s medical past also provided positive results, as evidenced by his father’s impressive lifespan.
“We have a pretty healthy family, and there’s longevity. I also have an aunt that’s 101 years old,” Rice added.
Rice’s search yielded much more emotional significance than the relief of a clean medical report card.
“It’s like finding a treasure chest in your backyard that was always there but you never looked for it,” he said. “And then all of a sudden you find it and all these wonderful life experiences that you’re just discovering, that you’re enjoying even though you didn’t partake in them. I had a very, very good life. This is just a bonus to it.”
