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Newsweek
06-07-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Woman Spends 71 Years Thinking She's an Only Child, Then She Gets an Email
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For 71 years, Sharon L., a retired nurse, believed she was an only child. Then, one day, she received an email that changed her life forever. The sender? Akihiko N., 73, a retired Japanese professor—and Sharon's brother. Both siblings had lived decades pondering their father's mysterious past, and now, the questions were answered. Sharon and Akihiko spoke to Newsweek about finding each other after so many years, and how they feel about completing a puzzle they thought they'd never solve. Sharon knew her father, John, who died in 2003, had always grieved a child he thought was put up for adoption in postwar Japan. Akihiko, on the other hand, spent his life feeling abandoned by his American father. Then, in 2022, a MyHeritage DNA test taken by his daughter in Tokyo connected them to a cousin in California, and everything changed. The journey to reunion began with a message from Sharon's cousin, Charlene, who had received notification of family in Japan. "She said that something very strange has happened," Sharon said. "'We've got some cousins in Japan.'" It turned out that Akihiko's daughter, Naima, was the one who took the MyHeritage DNA test, connecting with Charlene. Then, a DNA kit of Sharon's confirmed that Naima was indeed her niece. For Akihiko, the news was completely unexpected. "My elder daughter, Naima, had been researching our family history and looking for her ancestors, without my knowledge," he said. "It was a great surprise to me and hard to believe it was true, because I've not known about my birth father for about seven at the same time, I was deeply devastated because I learned my father is no longer with me." Akihiko sent an email to Sharon about the discovery, and their consequent reunion left the siblings reeling in unexpected joy and grief, all at once. (L) Akihiko and Sharon's father, John. (R) Akihiko and Sharon. (L) Akihiko and Sharon's father, John. (R) Akihiko and Sharon. Akihiko and Sharon/MyHeritage A Story of Misconceptions Their reunion brought to light decades of misunderstanding. Sharon said she had always known her father was deeply saddened by the child he couldn't find. Her father, a U.S. serviceman in Japan in the early 1950s, had fallen in love. While she was pregnant, he was shipped home to the United States. Later, he returned to Japan to find the woman, only to be told by her family that he had a daughter who had been given up for adoption. "Believing he had a daughter lost to the world, my father tried to search for her for years, fruitlessly," Sharon said. "I saw my father cry over that many times throughout my life, because he couldn't find his child." Akihiko's childhood was also marked by a false narrative. "My birth mother never talked about my biological father. She only told me he was an American and died later on," he said. He described the pain of growing up as a mixed-race child in postwar Japan, often bullied and called "gaijin," a derogatory term for foreigner. "I had always felt abandoned by my father ever since I was a little boy," he said. "He was in shock to hear the truth from me," Sharon added. "That my father searched for him, dreamed of finding him." Extraordinarily, their paths could have crossed several times throughout Akihiko's career as an academic. "I visited California many times for work from the 1980s to the 1990s," he said, noting he was likely "less than several hundreds of miles physically apart" from his father at times. "I could have met him if I had known him earlier. I had so many chances to meet my birth father in person there, and it's a real shame that I didn't get to do so." An Instant, Joyful Connection Despite the lost decades, the siblings' connection was immediate. "When we met at the airport, we ran to each other and just hugged each other and kissed each other like we'd known each other all our lives. It was an instant connection," Sharon said. She quickly noticed her brother's striking resemblance to their father. Akihiko has since embraced his new family, including his father's wife, who he said treats him like her own son. The siblings now email every day, making up for lost time. Akihiko has visited Sharon in California twice, staying for three months each time. "We've gotten the whole family dad's brother—he ran out to [Akihiko] and hugged him, and he said, 'It's like hugging my brother. You look just like him,'" Sharon said. "I'm closing an incredible circle for my father, our father, and for my brother as well... "I mean, being able to prove to him that what he thought was all wrong—that his father did want him. He wanted him and thought about him until his last days. I just wish my father could be here." Their story highlights the enduring impact of family secrets, as well as the power of technology to reconnect lost relationships. "You can find what you have been searching for in places you didn't think possible," Sharon said. "Every day there is so much bad news from around the world. And here we are giving hope, spreading good news to the world. I see our reunion as a miracle." The two long-lost siblings, separated by seven decades and an ocean, found each other—and they aren't letting go. "He calls me 'My Sharona,'" Sharon said. "I call him 'Big Brother.'"
Los Angeles Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Disneyland's 70th birthday celebrates happiness
If anyone knows how to throw a birthday party, it's Disneyland. Hewing to a theme of happiness, the Anaheim resort began its year-long 70th birthday celebration on Friday with food, entertainment and fun. In the seven decades since its opening, much has evolved in Walt Disney's park that pioneered theme entertainment. Disneyland originally opened on July 17, 1955 and while park-goers will have to wait until July 17 this year for one special surprise, there are plenty of early birthday treats launching now. The original park sat on 160 acres of former orange groves and opened on a sweltering, 100 degree day. There were four original lands accessible through Main Street, U.S.A.; Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland and Tomorrowland. Today, Disney has a nearly 500-acre footprint, with the addition of New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, Bayou Country and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, plus approved plans to expand over the next few decades. Visitors hoping to learn more about Disneyland's history can join 'A Story of Celebration' guided tour. On the two-hour jaunt through the park, guests will learn about significant moments in Disneyland's past, ride original attractions like the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Disneyland Railroad, enjoy reserved parade viewing and more. The park is dressed up for the party, too. The hot pink, royal purple and cyan blue decorations throughout Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney are part of a tradition David Caranci, manager of creative development at Walt Disney Imagineering, said stems from Disneyland's opening day. 'It really starts from 1955 when Walt decorated Main St. U.S.A. in red, white and blue,' said Caranci. 'We know that decor plays a huge part in the celebration and connecting our past and our future.' The decor starts outside Disneyland with a 50-foot sculpture of a contemporary interpretation of Sleeping Beauty Castle, with each of the original lands represented. The real castle inside the park has a 70th medallion on the doorway above the drawbridge and guests will find unique backdrops, perfect for photos in both parks and at Disneyland Hotel, Downtown Disney District and Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. 'We want people to step in, take pictures, take selfies and get involved,' said Caranci. 'Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!' parade at Disney California Adventure also returns for the occasion, starting with a float of the iconic Pixar lamp. Eight colorful floats featuring music and characters from Pixar films like 'Turning Red,' 'Soul' and 'Up' with the parade celebrating friendship. Carthay Circle Restaurant is decked out in the 70th anniversary colors and a special projection light show, 'Celebrate Happy: A Little Bit of Magic Every Night' enhances the façade in the evening. It's set to a new song, 'Celebrate Happy,' by the Jonas Brothers, which was composed especially for the occasion. 'Happy is the message, because this is such a happy place and people come here to celebrate their happy memories; their birthdays, their graduations, their proposals,' said Tricia Holloway, Disney music executive. 'We wanted to make sure we had a song that would underscore this environment. When we approached the Jonas Brothers, they responded with a resounding 'yes.'' The song is used in different versions throughout the park and Susana Tubert, creative director of Disney live entertainment, said it is a key element to the storytelling. 'The song is acting as a needle and thread that weaves across the resort and brings the theme of the celebration to the top of mind for our guests and our cast members,' said Tubert. A new water show is debuting at Disney California Adventure for the celebration titled 'World of Color Happiness.' It highlights characters from 'Inside Out' and opening with words Walt spoke on opening day: 'To all who come to this happy place — welcome.' There is also a pre-show from the Muppets. 'The Muppets are actually celebrating their 70th anniversary as well, so we reached to our friends at the Muppets Studios and said, 'Hey, do the Muppets want to play with us?'' said Jennifer McGill, executive producer of Disney live entertainment. Nighttime parade 'Paint the Night' will return to Disneyland with more than one million LED lights plus special effects and music that references the original 'Main Street Electrical Parade' theme and of course, the new 'Celebrate Happy' song. 'Wondrous Journeys' Nighttime Spectacular is also back at Disneyland and enhanced with fireworks on select nights. ''Wondrous Journeys' premiered during the Disney 100 Celebration and we are super thrilled to bring it back,' said Tubert. 'It is an amazing opportunity to celebrate 60 animation films by Disney.' Sleeping Beauty Castle becomes a canvas for the projection show with beloved Disney characters and songs, including Baymax from 'Big Hero 6' flying overhead. Food is also part of the storytelling and the Disney culinary team is introducing more than 70 menu items for the 70th birthday. Disney chefs like Eduardo Rodriguez and Esther Alonso are presenting new and nostalgic food, including the chocolate-dipped Mickey hat cookie. 'This is a classic cookie but it's also an homage to the Mickey Mouse Club and the ears they used have back in 1955,' said Alonso. Other throwbacks include a classic banana split like those available in the park in the 1950s and other treats inspired by it, like a banana split churro, rolled in chocolate sugar with banana and vanilla sauce and a cherry on top. Red Rose Taverne will serve a mid-century classic tuna melt, with Muenster and herb-marinated tomatoes complete with a green olive on a toothpick for garnish. Apple rolled pancakes, finished with walnut streusel, and cinnamon Chantilly cream at River Belle Terrace, the chili cheese corn dog from Corn Dog Castle and chili cheese baked potato at Troubadour Tavern each represent early dishes served in the park. 'These are beautiful because they are an homage to Walt Disney himself; his favorite dish when he would go into the park was Walt's chili,' said Alonso. It wouldn't be a birthday party without cake. A 70th celebration cake will be served at the Plaza Inn, layering all of the best kinds of confection flavors in one slice with pound cake, cherry compote, confetti cake, vanilla bean white chocolate mousse and lemon curd pastry cream covered with a white chocolate ganache buttercream frosting. There is also a 70th Celebration macaron at Jolly Holiday Cafe, fashioned to look like a pink cake slice. A special surprise is planned for July 17 when the park's founder will attend the party himself in the form of a new attraction 'Walt Disney — A Magical Life,' featuring the first ever audio-animatronic figure of Walt Disney, who passed away in 1966. Using the latest form of technology Disney first created to bring Abraham Lincoln to life for 'Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln,' the Main Street Opera House will become Walt's studio office. After the initial run for the 70th celebration, 'Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln' will return playing alongside 'A Magical Life' on a rotating stage. There is a lot to do, see and taste for Disneyland's birthday, but guests have a whole year to celebrate. Now, it's time to get the party started. Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration began Friday and runs through summer 2026. For tickets and park reservations visit
