Meeting extended family members for 1st time.
Trip Start
Sep 24, 2011
1
45
50
Trip End
Oct 25, 2011
Portlaoise, Leinster, Ireland
Thursday, October 20, 2011
AJ has not previously had any contact with this side of the family, with the family having lost contact 45 years ago when her father passed away.
Nervous as AJ was (and yes AJ was very nervous as we are sure PM and JC were also) the evening went extremely well, with loads of stories and old photos to look at. There was lots of laughter and realisation at one stage when PM said this is a photo of my grandparents & AJ promptly stated my grandparents too! There was a look of realisation and a bit more laughter!!!!
During the discussions there was realisation of lots of simularities, even though there had not been any previous contact.....ooooooohhhhhh spooky! Simularities included; children having same names, career paths and personal traits!! AJ was unsure about any family physical resemblance, but we all knew how to laugh and tell family stories!!
The most bizzare thing happened that evening with a small "stray" black and white cat turning up at the door as we arrived in our hire car. RC quizzed whether it was our cat???? We assured them that yes we did bring gifts.....calander, wine & chocolates but not a black and white cat!! The cat hung around all night sitting at the glass door near the dining room, looking in at us and crying! After much convincing from the cat crying she/he was rewarded with some scrap roast meat. AJ and CS have named the cat AUSSIE and wished JC and RC a long and happy life with their new pet cat.
It was enjoyable night and email address' were exchanged to ensure another 45 years did not pass without contact.
More family members for AJ's children to visit in Ireland!!
