Mother Saves 44 Years Worth of Ornaments for Son She Gave Away

Ann Padmos, who gave up her son Jeff Quibell for adoption, saved ornaments for him for 44 years until they were reunited.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on December 21 2011

Jeff Quibell never knew his birth mother. He’d been given up for adoption at birth, 44 years ago as a baby, and raised in a happy home by adoptive parents Don and Trudy Quibell in Blue Springs, Missouri. He’d always known that he was adopted, but felt no need to search for his adoptive mother.

But four years ago, when his doctor wanted to know his family medical history, Quibell decided to go looking for his birth mother. Finally, he found her.

Her name was Ann Padmos. And she had some gifts that she’d been saving for him—just in case she ever had the chance to see him again.

Every year, since Quibell’s birth, Padmos had bought a new Christmas ornament in his honor. So when she had the chance to meet him, she wrapped up all 44 ornaments individually to give to him.

“I’m sitting here wanting to cry just thinking about it,” Quibell told KMBC News, “it was an evening of a lot of laughing and crying and hugging, oh wow, it was just amazing.”

Now, Padmos will have the chance to give her son presents each year: They talk on the phone nearly every day.

Watch a touching video about their reunion here.

Filed under: General Interest,

Liked this? You'll love these, too:

The Amazing Christmas Ceasefire

During World War I, British and German soldiers put down their weapons to celebrate the holiday spirit together, in a remarkable event known as "the Christmas Truce." Read More
6 Clever, Fun, and Inspiring Christmas Videos

Check out our round-up of incredible Christmas themed-videos. Read More
Islamic Community Group Sponsors and Serves Church Mission Christmas Dinner

On Christmas Eve, the Islamic Community Centre of Brossard in Montreal sponsored and served a holiday dinner to local homeless people. Read More
The Top 20 Feel-Good Holiday Movies

Settle on the couch with some popcorn and these classic holiday films. Read More
Matthew Mickelson Butman Celebrates Last Christmas By Sharing Gifts with Needy

Matthew Mickelson Butman, an 11-year-old with a terminal condition called Leigh's disease, is celebrating Christmas by donating gifts to needy children and collecting greeting cards from all over the world. Read More