Day Four of the LYL Blog Challenge – Scott suggests writing first thing in the morning before the distractions of the day begin.
I am very fortunate today to be sitting at the beach looking out over the ocean and observing the wildlife as I write this.
One of my favorite places on earth. It cleanses the soul and rejuvenates the mind like no other.
So what am I most proud of? Probably bringing my fractured family back together. Not that I can claim all the kudos for this – it took willingness and openness on the part of every single person to open their hearts and minds to new beginnings. But I was the one who set the ball rolling.
Without modern social media it probably would not have been possible. Traveling home one day to visit my parents, I was seated on a plane next to a young twenty-something girl who was listening to her iPod. I had no idea at the time what an iPod – or an I-anything for that matter – was. Instead of feeling foolish and out-of-date because of my ignorance and retreating behind a book as is my wont, I gave my curiosity free reign and struck up a conversation with her. She happily shared photos with me and explained how this mysterious gadget worked. And so began my odyssey into the world of “I”. My husband bought me an iPod for my next birthday… there soon followed the marvelous I-Pad and then I discovered Facebook…. and curiosity again led me down an unexpected path. How fun would it be to re-connect with friends from uni or even high school? Even better – I wondered if any of my family members were on Facebook.
A feud years ago had torn the family apart as happens in so many families. I emigrated to America and created a new life in the New World, leaving that family behind. But those threads are never completely broken. The cliche about blood being thicker than water runs true. A common heritage and shared memories bind us close.
I did not immediately find any close family,,, but lo and behold, was that my cousin’s daughter out there? Could it be her, all grown up now after over 20 years? Throwing caution to the winds, I sent her a message… and nothing. And then after a few days came the response – yes, indeed. She had wanted to check with her mum first. After all, the last time we had been together was her christening so she didn’t even remember me! Who was this stranger reaching across cyber space after years of silence? Did her mum even care anymore? Thankfully, yes, she did – my cousin is one of the most open, big-hearted and positive people you will ever meet – and within a week we were Skyping (another wonder of modern technology!) and catching up.It felt as if we had never been apart and yet since we last spoke we had, between the two of us, graduated from uni, got married and divorced, raised children, traveled the world, found and lost jobs, fallen ill and thankfully recovered, lost parents, and discovered we were more resilient than we believed. We also had come to realize what is really important in life and we both recognized that reaching out to each other and holding on for dear life this time was a gift.
That initial outreach led to a family reunion and unlike Humpty Dumpty we were able to put the broken pieces back together. Our lives are enriched today in countless ways and I am so grateful to have been that catalyst.
“You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them”.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/d/desmondtut112366.html#PTdXl827BhfelFC8.99
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