This was quite painful to him, and my brother and I only understood that our new siblings mother felt that the visitation was doing emotional harm to her kids. We have since come to learn that their mother was just plain psycho... but that's another story.
A couple years ago, my grandmother got a call from someone looking for her Dad. My sister was then re-introduced to the family and everyone was thrilled that this contact was re-established.
Yesterday, my folks made contact with my brother. Dad has not seen or heard from or really about him in almost 30 years. Needless to say it was an extremely emotional day for Mom & Dad. It was exciting and wonderful that a tentative relationship has been reintroduced with him. Mom & Dad left him with phone numbers to contact the family, and hopes that he will come back to the family. We are all hoping and praying that my brother will accept this invitation and become part of our family again. He has a brother and sister (Me & Oscar) he does not know, nephews, a niece, aunts, uncles, and cousins who would all gladly welcome him back.
It's his choice, Mom & Dad aren't going to push and run the risk of having him close up and remain estranged from the family. I'm just praying that the phone will ring and he will leave a message for them to contact him.
I would ask that anyone inclined to do so, would send up a prayer for my brother and this situation.