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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Adriana Mize is an hourly worker in the kitchen at Vista Heights Middle School. Having worked in nutrition services for many years before joining the staff at Vista Height, Mize has has come in contact with many people and touched even more lives.
With her friendly and sweet demeanor, you would never know the heartache she feels, daily – a heartache that comes from missing her parents who live 6,000 miles away in Romania.
In 1997, Mihai and Elena Bleguanu, along with their two children, left Romania with plans to live the American Dream. After several years in the United States, their daughter, Adriana, married a U.S. citizen. At the time of the wedding, the Blenguanus were in the the process of petitioning the U.S. immigration department to allow them to stay. Unfortunately, before they could file the petition, they were forced to return to Romania; their children stayed in the United States.
This was nearly 10 years ago.
In those 10 years, Adriana has only been able to see her parents once, on a very hard-earned trip to visit Romania several years ago. Over the course of those years, there have been four grandchildren born, who also miss their grandparents dearly.
Nothing can replace the influence, wisdom, love and hugs that this couple has to offer their children and grandchildren. Being together is what family is all about.
–Cathy Whetten, co-worker
Not only does Adriana want to be reunited with her parents, but both parents have serious medical conditions that could better be treated here in the United States. Adriana's mother, Elena, has cancer, but is in remission; Mihai, her father, has diabetes.
Upon hearing her story, Vista Heights co-worker Cathy Whetten wanted to help.
“I, and friends of Adriana, want to help this family be reunited, and money has been the biggest obstacle," Whetten said. "We would like to raise a minimum of $3,000 to cover the costs of the petitions and airfare from Romania; and with just over $300 raised, we have a long way to go.”
Adriana and her brother send money to their parents every month, according Whetten.
"It would be such a burden lifted from their shoulders if they could just have their parents here where they could better care for them," she said. "Nothing can replace the influence, wisdom, love and hugs that this couple has to offer their children and grandchildren. Being together is what family is all about.”
Whetten, has set up a website for donations* to help this family reunite. You can access it by going to the link: https://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/help-reunite-a-family-/98266
ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
Arianne Brown is a mother of six who loves running the beautiful trails around Utah. For more articles by Arianne, "like" her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter @arimom5, or visit her blog, timetofititin.com.
