A Surprise that I got!!

I got a door bell ringing off the wall and dogs barking around noontime yesterday!! All that noise was the arrival of my father who I havent seen since 1975 at my high school graduation! I was floored and shocked to see him at the door..He didnt know if I wanted to see him or not.. since my parents were divorced when I was 9 years old..To tell ya'll the truth.. I was very happy to see my dad..I lost my mom back in 2005....I didnt know where he lived or what he did after he left us or if he died..
He is very relieved that I had no hard feelings towards him cuz I told him that I never stopped thinking about him..only to wonder what became of him...and he told me that he lives about 45 mins from me and been living in that same spot since 1978..when he retired!..so now I get to spend time w my dad who still looking good at 88 years old..still drives too..
Here is a pic of us together..sorry my hubby didnt know too much about my camera to take pics with it..
I just wanted to tell ya'll my good news!!

What a great story....a real feel-good,.... good news on a Monday morning story. Thanks for sharing with us.
After you catch up on time lost, I hope you remind him he owes you a trip to Disneyworld!!!!!!!

What a fantastic surprise!

That just does my heart good. I hope that you enjoy every moment together.

Moodene how wonderful! I am so glad for you. This sound like something out of storybook. Now you can become a Daddy's girl. I dont know how he stayed away so long living only 45 minutes away.
I was a Daddy's girl too, if he was alive he would 91 years old. I miss him so much.

I think it is wonderful that your father found you after all these years. Life is so strange sometimes, but loving and forgiving one another is healing and good for the soul.
Congratulations on your reunion.

so true about life being so strange! just never know what is coming next
great story--how wonderful for both of you!

I was not a Daddy's girl ... in fact, my father and I barely tolerated each other (probably why I moved from MI to TX as soon as I possibly could). But towards the end of his life he began to mellow and we really began to enjoy each other. He passed in 2006 (prostate cancer) but for the two years before that I visited as often as I could, and I will always treasure the time we had. It really helped to heal the old wounds of my childhood and early adulthood.

What a blessing that now you have your Dad back in your life. I hope you both feel comfortable enough to dialogue and ask questions, and then go on to enjoy your newfound relationship.

Carla

This is so cool. I remember you always talked a lot about your mom and grandparents. That is why I asked about your dad and having that conversation just last week is strange. Maybe when I come back down I can meet him. I am trying to get things wrapped up here so I can get back and plant those Bananas. This is so cool.

Congrats to you both. How did he find you? I guess it would be like meeting your birth parent or sibling for the first time, since you were only 9. When I first met my sister, I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. Although awkward at first, we have become friends.

I am still shocked that he found me. I have been on cloud 9 since then.. I told him that I still have all the stuff he sent me in the mail growing up and hopefully one day he would come for me..He started crying and couldnt stop..I told him..you are my daddy and nothing will ever take me away from you again..
But get this..I grew up with 2 brothers..until this Sunday..I now have 4 half sisters,2 step sisters and I think 1(? ) brother..they all have kids..so my dad's side of the family grew from being my 2 brothers and their kids to all this huge family!! They all want to meet me..and one of my sisters is named...Nadine!!..LOL...my kids are very happy to know they now have a Grandpa..This calls for BBQ Time!!!!...

I own my grandparents place-my moms parents...so he thought to drive over here and take a chance to see if anybody still lived here..lol..he had to remember how to get here..lol..

I think it's a shame that he didn't do it sooner.

It's nice to have extended family! Now for the fun of meeting everyone! A good old fashioned BBQ would be fun.

Well he had a stroke so that made a big diff in the memory dept..it takes awhile for the brain to function, I know cuz I had one at 32 years old due to a head trauma when I was 22 mons old..it finally caught up with me..and I do have the memory problem now and then...
Yes, it will be a very joyful BBQ time!!!

How BLESSED you both are!!!

How wonderful for you, your father and both families! It just goes to show you, if there's a family member you love but haven't seen in a long time, just go for it! What do you have to lose? But the sooner the better if there is any rift. Not all such stories will end happily long after the fact. My ex and my DD got into an argument soon after our divorce (she was about 12, I think). Both were stubborn, unfortunately. I knew my DD needed her father in her life and he needed her also, but I couldn't force them. As the years passed, her bad feelings about abandonment issues poisoned DD's feelings for him and she couldn't allow herself to feel any love for him. By the time he decided he might try to mend fences a bit, she was grown with her own family and just didn't want to be reminded of him.

Well I had spent over 10 hours at my dads house yesterday and went from house to house meeting people after people..no kids yet..just adults..then I will meet most of the kids at the next time around so I dont get overwhelmed..I told them..ya not running me off..just yet..lol...Just not sure what to do with all these sisters I got???...lol...since I was raised w 2 brothers...LOL

That's fantastic, Nadine. I am happy for you, and it's neat to see the resemblance between you and your dad.

Dontm worry about what to do with the sister Moodene, just let nature take it course. You've got thru the worse part, actually meeting them for the first time. I always wished I had sisters, I grew up with two younger brothers myself.

What a blessing! I love all those gingers you gave me & think of you every time I see them.
Tabitha

Thank you!..Tabitha, I have more gingers than last time you was here..LOL..I had help from Kenboy who was working on my house getting most of them in the ground..lol..still have few pots to do too..I think about your little girl all the time..LOL...

Moodene that is such a blessing! I am glad he came looking and you were still in the old house. I moved around so much that if my Dad did ever come looking, I am sure he didn't find me. You are fortunate indeed. Like Linda said not all stories turn out with good results.
I didn't ever know my Dad and had several step-fathers. I found where he and a son lived in Cody Wy. in 2000. I contacted the family member that was the webmaster of the geneology site. He welcomed me and agreed to get in contact with a family member he knew. After 6 months with no word, and emails going unanswered, I tried to contact my Dad with a card. I didn't get any response. I sent a few others cards, but nothing. Then I saw online that he had passed away a few years ago. I would like to believe that someone was getting his mail because he wasn't able to. But I still have that hole, and God is the only one that fills that and has all of the answers to my questions.
So glad your story will have a better ending, it may not be the way you would write it, but you have some answers at last. Embrace your Dad and enjoy him while you can.

Hey Moodene! We passed through your neighborhood today! Stopped at the fruit stand and bought a watermelon an some peaches. Thought about you, and if I had your phone number, would have given you a call! I would have liked to have seen all your gingers!

Sheila, that is so sad ... never knew that. Have you tried contacting his son ... your half brother? he might be looking for you too. I think as we get older we get more curious and more concerned.

Sylvia....no I haven't. But when I sent the cards before I figure he got the mail since it wasn't long afterward my father died. One of these days I may go to see what or who I can find there.