Family ties

We went to Kentucky over Memorial day weekend with my parents. My mom is from Ashland, KY and we went to visit her dad's graveside. Along with some other people we visit and gravesides we visit, we usually like to drive around and see things my mom remembers from her childhood.

My mom has a brother and a sister. She also has two half brothers and a half sister. The half sister she had never met. Seems that when she was younger, growing up, the story was that Diana's mom didn't want her around my grandma and her kids. So, they had never met. My mom has always wanted to meet her to see what she was like, if she looked like her dad, etc.

When we first got to Ashland, we went straight to my grandpa's cemetery. It is a small family owned cemetery, so typically you never see anyone else there. We looked and saw some peopl over by my grandpa and his family's stones. Mom was wondering who this was. When we walked up there, they turned and looked at us, then turned away. I knew it had to be family by the way the lady looked. Shane and Cameron had never been there, so they were asking questions. As soon as she turned to grandpa's gravestone and said "and this would be my dad". The older lady turned around and said "well that woudl make her your sister". The lady standing there was my mom's half sister she had never met. After the shock wore off for both of them, they started talking. Her mom was the one that put it all together and figured out who we were. We all stood around chatting and getting to know each other and my mom was so excited.

They exchanged addresses, emails, phone numbers and we all went on with our day. My mom talked about that nonstop all weekend! But she was hesitant in her excitement because she didn't know this woman and she didn't know if this was an act and she would never hear from her again or not.

We came home and my mom immediately emailed my new aunt. It took Diana a couple weeks to get back to her, but she did and now they are nonstop emailing and now both of them are on facebook and talking. My new aunt even added me and Shane on facebook! Now I can talk to my aunt anytime I want. My mom is excited because she has so much more in common with her half sister than she did her own siblings. They never talk to her, they don't have anything to do with her, they look nothing like her. My mom and Diana look like sisters. My mom has always been told she looks like her dad, which I have seen pictures and she definitely does! But her brother and sister don't. But her and Diana look alike!

And they have so much in common. So many likes and dislikes in common. So many things they do in common. Like, for example, my mom loves lighthouses, so does Diana. My mom is a medical assistant, Diana is an RN. My mom's name is Donna Gail, my aunt's name is Diana Gale.

SO many things tie them together. Yet, they have different moms. Isn't it funny how just a small minute detail can tie you to someone in your family without even realizing it? Like a middle name. Gail, and Gale. Donna and Diana. Only having a father in common, living totally seperate lives, yet ending up so much alike.

Family ties are more than just brother, sister, mom and dad.
:)