Saw some family for first time in 19 years recently.

[slugshooter]

I should have written something about this last Saturday when I got home, but I have had a lot of emotions running through my head this past week. I don't intend for this to be a long story but it may turn in to one. Basically, for those that don't know, my father died when I was 12 years old, and now I am 31, so it has been 19 years. It has also been 19 years since I have seen most of his family, except for one of my uncle's who took me fishing a couple of times over the following year. I was basically kept away from that side of the family from my mother who never got along with my dads family and held a lot of anger towards my dad and his family, which, through her influence, basically led to me having anger towards them and feeling like they didn't care about me. I had some contact with my grandmother when I was in the Air Force, but she died in 1997, and after that, no contact with anyone.

Once Kari and I got together, she basically quizzed me about that side of the family and urged me to get back into contact with them. I was hesitant, based on how I believed they felt about me. She was persistent, and I allowed her to contact one of my uncle's who lived in Edgewater, FL. She talked to his wife because he was in the hospital and I eventually talked to her, and my uncle who had taken me fishing when I was still a kid. He used to own a bait and tackle shop in Lakeland, FL back then. We talked and everything but over time lost contact what with trying to move and finish school. Since moving back down here I had thought about letting them know that I was back down here but with moving twice and living with in-laws, sometimes things get pushed on the back burner.

Last week I got a card from my Uncle Fred's wife, Aunt Ruth, that she had been trying to contact me in NC and also to let me know that Uncle Fred had died last November, and asked me to call her. I called her back and she was happy to hear that I was back down here and wanted to see me. Then she told me about a family reunion in Pierson, FL, which is about 20 miles from Daytona Beach, and also where my dad is buried. The reunion was this past Saturday. Kari and I made plans to go, and really I wasn't nervous until we got about 5 miles away.

My main fear was not recognizing anyone because it had been so long and wondering what their reaction would be. Kari and I walked in and a group of people near the front of the building started checking us out. I somewhat recognized someone that I thought to be Uncle Grady, so we walked over to the table to find out of these were the people we were looking for. A lady turned around and asked what my name was. I found out later that Uncle Grady had told the group that if he was a bettin man, that he would bet that that was Marc that walked through the door. I told the lady that turned around that my name was Marc. She asked "Whats your last name?" I told her and she immediately jumped up and started crying and hugging me and told me she had been waiting a long time to go this. It turns out that she was Aunt Linda, who was my dads closest sister. Grady was who I thought he was, I remet one of my cousins named Kim who was 16 or 17 years old the last time I saw her, and Uncle Jerry and his wife, who had no idea that I was going to be there, he came around with tears in his eyes and hugged me. Aunt Ruth had told Linda and Kim, Kim let it slip to Grady, but they were able to keep it from Jerry and his wife.

All in all it was a very emotional experience, and I felt that I was one of those stories where people get reunited with family they have never met or haven't seen in a long time, which I guess in a way, I was. It was comforting to know that all this time they had been wondering about me, and had even tried looking for me, (I never had a phone in my name long enough to show up) and had even thought the worst might have happened given that they knew I had been in the military. I was saddened at all the time that had gone by and all that I had missed. Two more Uncle's had passed, one Aunt, and another Aunt dying of cancer in NC. I wish so much time hadn't gone by.

Another reason we went is Ruth had some things of my dads that she felt I should have. One of the things was his wallet, with his drivers license still in it. When you grow up being told that your dad really didn't care all that much about you, and then you open his wallet and find pictures of yourself, from the time you were a baby up until about 7 years old. It is a little tearjerking. Another thing was the sign in book from his funeral. I knew he had passed away in July of 1989, but dates tend to slip your mind after awhile. Last Saturday was July 19. 19 years to the day that I last saw these people when my father was buried in the same town as the reunion. I don't think that was merely coincidental.

I've posted a picture with me, Uncle Grady, Aunt Linda, and Uncle Jerry. We were going to try to meet up again this weekend, but out schedules couldn't work out. I am looking forward to getting to know my family again.

[buckee]

That is just too cool Marc. It warmed my heart to read that.

Way to go Kari ;)

I bet you feel like you just gained a whole, brand new family.

[NS whitetail]

awesome stuff marc :cool::cool:

[nativetexan]

very cool.

[HuntnMa]

Thanks for making me cry so fricking early in the morning.........

I am so happy for you , Kari has given you such a gift....your whole family back.

[stevebeilgard]

that is just soooo great, marc. i'm sure glad you went. it's too bad that when two folks get divorced, they tend to hate the other person and make up lies about them. i don't see how any father could just stop loving a son because he and his wife had problems. also, when two folks get divorced, usually neither of them are evil. they just don't like each other any more.

anyway, i'm glad you found your father and family, even it it was 19 years too late. now, get off this computer, get off your dead butt, and go give kari a big hug & thank you!

[Shaun_300]

That is great Marc, glad you have re-united with your family!