Dear Nat

I wanted to share the attached story, outlining an incredible event in my life, with you and thank the Anguillian and especially Nat for making this miraculous event happen. If you wish to publish this story please do so.

Ricci and I will be back in Anguilla on January 5th when she will be here for 10 days.
Again many, many,heartfelt thanks to you newspaper and staff.

Warm regards,

Bill Moore
Cap Juluca

The following letter was sent to The Anguillian by Mr. Bill Moore of Cap Juluca Resort.

November 18, 2005
Dear Friends:

Ricci & Mum

I am sorry that I have been fairly quiet of late but I have been undergoing a most magnificent transformation in my life.

On September 28th 2005 at approx 4.30 pm I spoke to my long lost 28 year old daughter for the first time.

To explain how this could be here is the background. When living in Perth Western Australia in 1977 I began a wonderful relationship with a beautiful young woman. In fairly short order she became pregnant which was a great joy as both of us were getting over relationships in which children had not been possible.
Unfortunately within weeks love turn to loathing, for this young lady and for reasons still unexplained she wished to have nothing to do with me; asking only that I vacate her life and leave her alone. After several weary months I came to the conclusion that there was no choice. This plus some other factors in my life at that time made me decide to head back to England where I arrived in May.

I eventually moved to Jamaica which was where I received the news of Ricci-Jane’s birth on November 17th. Her mother having overcome her pain wished to make another go of it but after much thought and deliberation I was unable to concur.

I remained in touch until in 1979 when she advised me that she was getting married and that her husband would adopt Ricci, as his own. I should therefore forget about them and cease all communication if I loved Ricci. I continued to write annually to Ricci’s grandmother until one day my letter returned “unknown”.

I have carried her baby picture with my other children’s pictures all her life, I’m sure I’ve shared it with some of you, but I never held out any hope of ever seeing her again as I felt she did not know of my existence.

Apparently though things did not go so well with Ricci’s mother’s first marriage and she had told Ricci at an early age about me and why I was not in their life, taking, in a noble and humble way, the full blame.

At age 17 Ricci began a global search for me using the only document she had – a letter I had written to her from the Nordic Prince and her knowledge that I once lived in Jamaica.

Her search was amazing including calling all the Moores in Miami on one occasion. She had lost hope until on September 26th 2005, recently divorced herself and feeling lonely she typed (by divine guidance) into Goggle

Bill Moore plus chefs

And got a hit on an article recently published in “The Anguillan” about the Anguillan national team of Chefs competing in a culinary competition called the Taste of the Caribbean, an event that I have ran annually for the last 10 years. Fortunately the article included a photograph and even named where I work but as the hotel was closed and I was on vacation I did not get the call for two days.

I don’t know if you can imagine the impact this has had on my life and that of my family. Charmaine knew the whole story from the beginning and has embraced Ricci whole heartily. The reaction from the rest of the family is mixed as you may imagine. The only thing that Ricci wishes is to meet and get to know her father, a desire that I share.

Ricci Jane Adams Moore

Ricci is flying to Denver on December 19th where she and I will meet for the first time. We will spend some time together and then meet Charmaine in Montrose. We will all drive to Las Vegas for Christmas where she will meet Thomas, Lesley and Meghan. We will then travel to Dallas and on to Anguilla before she returns to Melbourne on January 16th.

The impact of this miracle, placed firmly at the feet of God and a reward for my returning to a Christian life, has been dramatic. It has made me look seriously at my whole attitude to family and the need to be closer to them physically and spiritually rather than just being their banker. Through this revelation they have all shown signs of needing family support and togetherness, something none of them have had for (in some cases) a long time. When and how this will be accomplished I am unsure but I am leaving in God’s hands knowing that he knows what is best for me and the others. I pray that he will use my life as a testament to his greatness and know that he will do whatever is best. I am happy and resolute in this simple faith keeping my heart open to his word.

As for Ricci – she is a beautiful and smart 29 year old. She is currently doing post grad work at the University in Melbourne. She has a broad background in counseling and therapy and is involved in drama. Presently she is studying for her PhD and sees herself continuing to write and direct theater.

We have bonded via many e-mails and phone calls and I am indeed blessed by this incredible addition to my family. One, which in a way seems to make not only my family complete but my life also.

I hope you will join me in giving thanks and praises to the all mighty for this incredible gift and pray that I may find a way to repay his generosity.

My love and best wishes go out to each of you – knowing, I hope, how treasured a part of my life you are.

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