Stijn!!

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Noah930

Best of luck, Dave. Hard not to approach that trip with any sort of expectations, as I think it's human nature to do so. They're bound to be as uncomfortable with the whole thing as you.

I'm not sure I am uncomfortable, in fact, I'm just reserved. I don't really have any emotions at the moment. I am most curious to find out who I am. I have the chance to find out a big portion of that, though it won't be complete. Maybe emotions will change or appear if this trip materializes.

I think what is on my mind at the moment, is what to think about finally meeting my brother. Even if it is via FB at first. It's always been an odd feeling, growing up as a single child, but knowing that somewhere out there is an older sibling.

The adventure continues.

[HHI944]

Well, got the water pump and temp sender for the Landy ordered....... The gasket set for a head refurbishment will ship next week..... Carb is tuned well, and points are set.... Everything is good to go except the cooling system.

[slodave]

Hi Jeff (and Joe).

[Noah930]

OK, maybe I missed it somewhere in the 62,396 posts on Stijn, but if you don't mind sharing, exactly how did you connect with your birth family on FB? I mean, how did you know to look them up (or vice versa)? You can't just type in "long-lost family" into the search feature.

[slodave]

My adoption was private. Speaking about adoptive the adoptive family here... My Aunt's FIL was a Dr. in Pennsylvania and new my parents were looking to adopt. I have the court transcripts and all other records dealing with the adoption. I even have two birth certificates.

My biological family's last name is unique and they are the only family in the US with that name. With the advent of the Internet, typing in the last name does yield answers. Death records... And they all pointed to Pennsylvania. About ten years ago, I found a post in a genealogical website. A cousin was trying to track down any other family members and was trying to put together a family tree. I kept in contact with her and a couple other relatives for a while, but fell out of contact. Then after a few bored nights on FB, I searched and found them again. I have been communicating with one of my Aunts, but have reconnected with the cousin and another.

[Noah930]

Interesting. Unique names make it hard to hide in today's world.

[slodave]

To an extent. It's just easier now to gain access to the info now. In the past, you would hire a private investigator, though I'm sure a lot still do today as well.

[RKDinOKC]

Have only seen my oldest sister once. My Mom was widowed with 3 kids and married my widowed Dad with on kid. They had two more kids, me being the young's. My oldest sister and her husband had an irreconcilable difference with my Mom and Dad before I was born and have refused to have any kind of communication with anyone except for occasional contact with her full blood siblings and an aunt. Seems pretty harsh, over 50 years of grudge and not letting their kids have anything to do with family.

[slodave]

Yup. Sure is. That's too bad, Richard.

[RKDinOKC]

At least it wasn't anything i did.

[RKDinOKC]

it's frydee

[slodave]

You still up, Alarick?

[Rick V]

Morning Y'all.

[slodave]

I guess not.

Morning, Rick.

[Rick V]

Well this week I have watched three friends have complete meltdowns and one landed behind bars because of it. It looks like the tension that is just under the water is starting to surface. I have a feeling this is going to be a bad summer. I do hope I am wrong, I like Zombie jokes but I really hope they stay as jokes, doesn't look like it though.

[Rick V]

Howdy Dave. You going to be able to fly yourself east?

[slodave]

Even if I could, I wouldn't - unless it was a really fast turbo prop or jet.

[Rick V]

Okay so your still one of us.

[slodave]

I love garlic.

[RKDinOKC]

Well, that night's sleep didn't last long. Only a couple of hours and now I'm wide awake.