Lost And Found

Some thirty two years ago I lost something, or someone rather...today I found that person and I have to tell you I'm so happy I did.  The occasion was not the happiest but the resulting "find" certainly was.

You see, my dad's parents, though having six kids of their own, also raised in part my grandmothers sisters four kids. The result of that was an extended family member that was more than a second cousin.  As far as my sister and I were concerned he was an Uncle, his wife an Aunt and their kids were, in our minds, first cousins...of course the related difference is a little farther removed but who cares they are no less important to make up of the entire family.

Today my cousins laid to rest their dad, my Uncle.  He perished in a house fire last July and today would have been his 71st maybe 72nd birthday no one there knew for sure, doesn't really matter it was an appropriate choice in days to honour his memory. For me to have had the opportunity to be part of it was an incredible experience.

It's funny though, I almost didn't go.  I had a bit of a rough night fighting a migraine but regardless of how tired I was from two and a half hours of sleep I pulled it together and made my way to Maple Ridge. I'm so happy I did!

I have not seen these cousins since about 1979 when they moved back to the lower mainland.  My Aunt and Uncle had six kids, five sons and a daughter, she is all of five months older than me...(though neither of us look our ages) we were friends as kids of course and over the years, after they moved away, I wondered what had become of her. Well today I found out.  She's been living right down the road (more or less) all this time.

After thirty two years I found my cousin and all those years in between evaporated, we re-connected.  Of course I had conversations with three of her four remaining brothers.  The oldest died in a tragic car accident when he was thirteen, and the brother that was living with my Uncle when he died seemed to keep to himself, likely he just didn't remember me he is much.  It was my Aunt however who spotted me first. Me mostly due to my resemblance to my mom, but I have to tell you it was a great feeling to be recognized after all these years.

Bittersweet as the day was I feel as though it was meant to be.  If I could I would turn back time my Uncle would still be here for his family.  It was because of their loss that I was able to find them again and that might not have happened otherwise.  In a perfect world there would be no loss but this world is not perfect and I can't wave my magic wand and fix everything I wish I could...

So this was the event of the day, we parted company at the cemetery exchanging phone numbers and promises to get together...my mom and dad will be down in May so the plans revolve around that. For my cousin and me, well we're planning for a few weekends from now, we still have some catching up to do, about thirty two years worth.

With much love, light and treasures found,
Tammy.