In an emotional reunion facilitated by social media, Hannah Smith, a former foster child from Stockton, successfully reconnected with her foster mother, Essie Gilchrist, after four decades. Smith, who now resides in Washington state, had once attempted to reach out to Gilchrist in 2000 through a letter but was unsure if it was ever received. However, a recent post on X, formerly known as Twitter, bridged the long-standing gap between them.
Gilchrist had fostered Smith when she was just 13 years old. Smith's gratitude post on social media, intended to highlight the goodness of people like her foster mother, unexpectedly led to their reunion. The post garnered millions of engagements from people eager to assist in reuniting the two.
Gilchrist, overwhelmed by the massive online response, expressed amazement at the role of 1.9 million people in reconnecting her with Smith. For Smith, the reunion was a moment of retrospection, realizing the true impact Gilchrist had on her life. She credits her foster mother for introducing her to a sense of stability, something she had never experienced before. Fondly, Smith recalls still styling her hair and make-up as taught by Mama Essie.
Despite her rebellious youth, which included running up bills and breaking phones, Gilchrist recognized Smith’s intelligence and potential. "One of the things that I saw was she was very bright. Very, very bright," Gilchrist remarked, highlighting the importance of showing children that there are people who care for them.
The story of Smith and Gilchrist is a heartwarming testament to the enduring bonds formed in foster care and the power of social media in reconnecting lives. Both women now eagerly anticipate their next meeting, which they hope will be in person.
