Life is too short...

[Pawsitive Thinking]

A very moving post - well done you!

[moosmom]

I spoke to my uncle again last night and I learned SOOOOO much about my family from him that I never knew. He's been tracing the geneology in our family and found out that the Vadakin family (my Mom's maiden name) is originally from Ohio! My grandfather "Bumpy" was raised by his stepmother (actually his aunt) because his mother died giving birth to him and his Dad ended up marrying Bumpy's aunt. My grandfather also had an older brother named John Never knew THAT either!!! I also found out my great-grandfather was deaf and so was a distant cousin (connected with MY hearing problem perhaps??).

He gave me my cousin's (his daughter) phone number and she and I talked for a good hour. She said I had no idea what this meant to her father AND to her and her 3 brothers because they had absolutely NOTHING to remember anyone in the family. Her son is going to West Point in the fall (they live in New Mexico) and I told her I would LOVE to try and get together with her. We're definitely making plans for sometime in the future. I haven't seen her since she and I were 13!!!

Karen,

Look up disfunctional in the dictionary and you'll find my family portrait next to it!!!

It was a real experience last night and I am SOOO glad I did what I did. This weekend my daughter and I are going through the entire 2 boxes of pictures and sort them out. Should be interesting. At least now she'll get to see what my Mom looked like later in her life.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

I haven't seen her since she and I were 13!!!

That will be fun!!

I wish I could be there when your uncle looks at the pictures... I bet he is really going to enjoy them!!!

[moosmom]

Sara,

Me too! I'm just so glad I called. Maryanne and I were really into our hair when we were 13. I had a "fall" (sort of a mini-wig) that attaches to your real hair. Well, then she got one. Even my uncle said he remembers all the fuss we made about it and having long hair.

When I talked to her last night, the first thing I asked her was whether her hair was long or short. She burst out laughing! We were like 2 teenagers on the phone again, giggling and going and on. It was wonderful!

I slept very well last night.

[CultureJunky]

Donna, that's just so great. It's wonderful to find out things you never knew, and make connections with family members you never met.
Im sure you've made your uncle so happy in his elderly years. I hope you have a great time meeting up with your family. Good luck

[Donnaj4962]

Donna, I have LES here, as I read this post! How wonderful of you to get in touch with your Uncle and now your cousin! I would think that would be some great therapy for you, in a sense!

I would like to add also, since I work with seniors every day.... that EVERYONE has a story, be it good or bad! And I am finding it more and more important that the "story" be in writing so that it is not lost. How wonderful that your family can have the pictures, and some great memories also! Please, take the time to write it down. I am working (not as diligently as I should) on my Father's family tree, and trying to get stories from my Dad about his family. He was an only child, and I am somewhat unclear about the ancestry. I would like to have that commited to paper and in pictures.

Great work Donna! Have fun reminiscing with your cousin, and I am sure the visit will be WONDERFUL!