It's Never Too Late For Family

Me and my Uncle Tom

Me and my beautiful Aunt Cindy

My father, Dennis

Me and Uncle Jerry, my father's younger brother

(sadly he passed away about a year after this picture was taken)

 My cousins Melody and Marie

My Uncle J.R., another of my dad's brothers

My dad's younger sister Aunt Carylene, me and Aunt Joanie (Uncle Jerry's wife)

Another of my dad's younger sisters, Aunt Beverly and me

Me, my cousin Jimmy and his wife Jeannie

I grew up with my mom, step-dad (Sonny), 2 younger sisters and a younger brother.  My mom had three brothers and Sonny had a sister and several brothers,  but due to circumstances beyond my control I really only knew my mom's youngest brother, Tom, his wife Cindy and their two sons (my first cousins Tommy & Rick).  My mom was friends with Aunt Cindy long before I was born and this friendship has lasted many decades.  During this time I have remained particularly close to my Aunt Cindy.  When Sonny was in the Navy and out on the ship back in the 60's and 70's, we always lived near,  next door and/or sometimes with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Tom.  When I was in school, Sonny and Uncle Tom got into welding and we traveled together, usually living in the same apartment complex or trailer park as the men followed the work. 


Now, all these years later, I am still extremely close to Aunt Cindy and usually talk to her several times a week.  During one of these conversations a couple of years ago, I was able to share with her that, through some Internet research, I had located my biological father's family.  It was very interesting because although I had never met Dennis (he passed away in the mid 1990's) Aunt Cindy had met him, and it's through her that I have most of my information.  One thing she did not know, and that I found out once I actually contacted the family is that my dad had 10 brothers and sisters and between the 8 who had survived to adulthood, I also have a couple dozen cousins!  Now this information, to a girl who grew up with one aunt, one uncle and two cousins, was a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. As I spoke to my newly found Aunts, Uncles and Cousins we planned a trip so that I could meet as many as possible.  The first trip was made in July of 2010 and was a huge success in my book.  I was able to find out so much about my dad and now, as I plan the second trip this Easter, I'm even more excited because I will meet a few more cousins.  Of course my Aunt Cindy will be making the trip with me, as she did the first time.  She is such a wonderful influence on my life and as she meets all these people she is just as excited as I am.  I love that about her!