Our Journey of Change - Reconnecting With Family

Mom - The Matriarch of the family, Heather, and Me - April 2010

One of the major reasons I wanted to come back home to Pennsylvania was to reconnect with family and friends.  I had been away from home for over 30 years and unable to afford to come back to visit very often.  In so doing this caused a distance not only in miles but in relationships. I am not a letter writer – my mom can attest to that! Ha HA!    When email became popular I started to connect in some small way to extended family and friends.  Sometimes computers can give you royal headaches, but for me it became a lifeline to people I dearly missed. Then my sister started blogging a few years ago which in turn I started blogging in July 2008.  Our relationship blossomed again as well as I became connected with so many wonderful people in “Blogland”.  Between the internet connections to family and friends and my declining health, I became more and more aware that I needed to rekindle relationships once again with my loved ones.  I knew it wouldn’t be easy, let’s face it – I have been out of their lives for over 30 years!  But I know with God nothing is impossible!

Mom with her Great-Granddaughter, Sarah

This past year (August 2009 – July 2010) I mostly concentrated on adjusting to our new life in Pennsylvania and my relationship with my mother.  At 87 years old each day is a gift from God.  Well actually it is for all of us.  I make sure I see my mom at least once a week – maybe more.  We will talk, laugh, cry, play games, eat – (especially chocolate!), and shop till we drop.  Most of all we are making precious memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. 

 Laura and her family with mom, Aunt Louise (my dad's only living sibling) and Uncle Stan

Now this year (August 2010 on…) besides seeing my mother, I am concentrating on my extended family.  We have already had two special “reunions” in the past two weeks.  My sister spent 10 days this summer at our mom’s so we had special time together as well.  I’ve seen my niece and her family on furlough from Kenya twice since May.  I would love to see my niece Missy and her family…. Hint – Hint!  And yes, I would love to see my nephew Adam who recently moved to Colorado, and my brother and his family who live about 2 hours away from us. 

 Travis with Savannah - May 2010

The other day my grandson Travis mentioned that I have a lot of family members.  I reminded him that they are all his family as well.  Some of my cousins, aunts and uncles have commented that it is so unusual for a teenager to have such interests in family… especially us old people!  Ha!  He enjoys talking with them and hearing their stories; especially Uncle Bob who received a Purple Heart in WWll.  Oh, let’s not forget Uncle Don who is/ I mean plays Santa Clause!  Yes Travis we do have a large and wonderful extended family!

 My mom, Santa/Uncle Don, and Aunt Ruth

I am so thankful for the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones.  We cannot bring back the last 30 years, but we can make the most of the days and years ahead of us.  If you have been away from loved ones for many years, it is never too late to reconnect – say – “I’m sorry”, “I love you”, and whatever it is you need to say or do.  If it has been busyness and not distance that has kept you away, we can always find time for what is important in our lives.  Family is a precious – cherish every moment you have with them; for one day they will be gone and all that will be left will be memories.  

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*(Unfortunately I do not have photo's yet from last week's get together. So we do not have all four siblings - mom and her brothers and sister)