That phrase was the phrase of the week
end. This week end we traveled to Vancouver as my girlfriend had an
MRI in Surrey. I am not sure why they booked her at 9:30 pm on a
Saturday, but you take what you get. Besides it provided us an
excuse to go for the week end. We brought along our good buddy and
made a trip of it.
Friday our trio explored Grand-ville
island. My favourite was the harp chair which you sat in and he
played music. For a mere $6000 you too could own one. I donated
money to sit in it. It was totally worth the drive! If my
girlfriend ever opens up that spiritual retreat center she is totally
going to have to get one. I could have sat in it all day. I also
got to play the Tokido drums or more specifically tsuri-daiko.
Check one thing off my bucket list.
We
also visited a few beaches the next daty. I wished I had gotten to
Crescent beach in Surrey earlier. I had purchased a cheap water
colour set and some paper, so I could be a beach artist.
Unfortunately the sun was too bright facing in our direction and we
headed to IKEA instead.
That
evening after the MRI we headed to a Mc Donald's in Burnaby. I was
too meet my Birth Mother and half sister there. Honestly adult Pam
and childhood Pam had a very strong argument, with childhood Pam
winning. I opted to meet them. Let me say firstly, I am very happy
with my Parents. I didn't feel anything was lacking. I suppose I
was more than curious who I look like. I had met my half brother
Matt and enjoy a nice relationship with him. I suppose I just wanted
to finally meet the woman who had given birth to me almost 40 years
ago. We had a brief but wonderful meeting. I am still processing.
The
other shock came when I was informed of another name who could bare
my paternal DNA. Firstly in my birth history it says I'm part
Japanese. Okay great. Then all of a sudden I might not be? Okay
now I am staring at myself in the mirror thinking okay well what is
my ancestry now? I could be anything! I'm pasty white with red
hair, perhaps I'm albino? Good God I'm 40 and I'm having an
existential crisis.
I
figured I'd just go ahead and fork out the money for the DNA testing
by 23 and me. (Stay tuned for the results) I also did a bit of
googling regarding the name she gave me. I found a couple of leads
and decided to email the gentleman. I sat looking at my computer
screen curser flash at me for an hour. What do you write to a
stranger who you think you might be related to? Would he even
respond? How do I write an email that doesn't sound like one of
those spam emails? Good evening Mr. So and So Congratulations you
have won...... And what if it isn't him, what if it is his son or
cousin or something. I honestly wouldn't want some stranger
contacting my family. That would be a little uncouth. Besides
really I don't want anything except to look in the mirror and say
okay I'm part blah blah blah and blah. Or know if there is a family
history of breast cancer, or what not. My poor kid has 2 close
relatives with Multiple Sclerosis on each of her parent's side so I
worry for her.
So
I blindly typed away and emailed. A few days later I got a response.
I nearly dropped my phone. I honestly didn't think that he would
respond. So stay tuned to how it might go. I will not be posting
much about him as I'd like to think if I were in that circumstance
someone would protect my privacy too.
Anyhow
it's been a trip and a half this last week. As always may the Lord
be with you.
