Family is Where the Heart Is . . .

I got home from TX this afternoon and let me tell you, it was a wonderful time with family. We laughed and shared and sang songs and enjoyed each person there to the fullest. Questions were hurled this way and that, picture albums were poured over, meals were shared, houses were visited, Ainsley was played with, and we had such a great time that no one wanted to leave. We are already thinking about when and where the next reunion will be. My heart is full and my body needs sleep from staying up 'til 1 and 2 a.m. chatting and debriefing and emailing Kathy from mom's bed. What a time we all had!

Almost There!

Tomorrow is THE DAY! The kids and I are flying to TX to meet our new relatives and see some "old" ones as well. Old being a relative term, especially for women "of a certain age." Hmmmm, it really doesn't feel better seeing those words in quotes. Anyway, tonight Dan is in Palm Springs at a conference (lucky) and I am packing for my trip and trying to remember things to take. At least I am not working tomorrow, so that will be a huge help in my time management. Lucy greeted me tonight like a long-lost relative (no pun intended) and likely assumed that we weren't coming home when she saw suitcases out. Patti will come and walk her tomorrow night and Friday morning and then Dan will be home. So, Kathy and Karen are already at Mom's house and Sue was there as well (naturally since she lives next door to Mom) and they are making memories that I hope I can hear all about tomorrow night when I get there. My heart is there already.

One of my team members, Bonnie, went to be with the Lord last night. So shockingly sad. Her daughter's wedding is/was planned for this coming Saturday. So sad. We were all very weepy at work today, except for my problem girl who apparently does not shed tears. Says a lot about why she is my "difficult person." As Pastor Larry said recently, "play the position you've been assigned." I am doing just that.

Sisters

I have been thinking a lot about sisters this week since we found our 4th sister, Kathy. I scanned a bunch of pictures and posted them on Facebook so she could see her grandparents, parents, etc. I came across these two pictures of Karen and I rockin' it in the Cheerios dress that my mom must have made for Karen and Karen passed it down to me. We both must have liked it because we both wore it for our school picture day!

Lost and Found

I have a new sister. She is 60 years old and her name is Kathy. We located her last weekend and life has been quite the whirlwind ever since. Emails, calls, entries on Facebook and lots of pictures. I poured over the pictures for similarities and pondered nature vs. nurture We are a fascinating science project. She was "lost" to us via adoption 60 years ago, but through the wonderful world of the Internet, we were able to find her. Finally. Karen located Kathy's birth certificates, Sue's daughters found her wedding license and google gave us the rest. I wonder how cavemen ever found their lost children. Perhaps that is really what the cave paintings were for. "I've lost my child - hazel eyes, curly hair - if found please tell her we are looking for her." It's been an amazing week and my heart is full knowing she is with us and now we are four. I didn't know that I'd feel so good about finding her - perhaps it was that first conversation with her that just felt like I knew her forever. As she said, "it just fits." A reunion is scheduled for November; hope I can wait 'til then!