As many of you may know, I have recently discovered my father's side of the family. After my mother passed away I began to feel very isolated. I suddenly felt like a true "only child". I'd look at my beautiful boy and worry about the lack aunties, uncles, and cousins in his "only child" life. So, with great nervousness, I made contact for the first time with my birth father; and I am so glad that I did. The response has been tremendously positive. I have discovered a brother and a sister as well as a father. I have five nieces/nephews and Dylan now has cousins!
I must admit that I felt an instant kinship with my sister Sandra. She has a wicked sense of humour and can articulate her thoughts and feelings in a manner that makes me envious. As a child she jumped grades and went through the gifted school program. Later, she entered into math sciences at university (unfortunately I did not inherit any of the math genes but there is hope for Dylan yet). In the immortal words of Anne of Green Gables, I recognize Sandra to be a "kindred spirit" and I have enjoyed getting to know her. Ironically she and I married very similar men....both are from Ottawa, both are WASP, both are mechanically inclined whether it is bicycle or motorbicycle engineering, both are computer geeks and have the same taste in dark European beers. Sandra has two children. Her daughter is a year older than Dylan and they get along great. Her son is 12 years old, also in the gifted program and is a such a great conversationalist.
I must admit that I felt an instant kinship with my sister Sandra. She has a wicked sense of humour and can articulate her thoughts and feelings in a manner that makes me envious. As a child she jumped grades and went through the gifted school program. Later, she entered into math sciences at university (unfortunately I did not inherit any of the math genes but there is hope for Dylan yet). In the immortal words of Anne of Green Gables, I recognize Sandra to be a "kindred spirit" and I have enjoyed getting to know her. Ironically she and I married very similar men....both are from Ottawa, both are WASP, both are mechanically inclined whether it is bicycle or motorbicycle engineering, both are computer geeks and have the same taste in dark European beers. Sandra has two children. Her daughter is a year older than Dylan and they get along great. Her son is 12 years old, also in the gifted program and is a such a great conversationalist.
My brother and his family came over for dinner this past weekend. He also is a very thoughtful and intelligent guy. I made the comment that it is reassuring to know that my missing gene pool is of such sound stock. His wife and children are so lovely. We had a good time teaching the children how to make sushi for our appetizers.In September, the whole family gathered at a taurant for my 8-year old niece's birthday. I must admit, looking down the very long table with all the people eating together, it felt nice to be part of such a large gathering. This is a picture of Sandra and her husband Donald as well as Dylan and Sarah.
My father just turned 70 years old this October. My hope is that my relationship with my father, sister and brother will continue for many years to come.
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