I find writing my life story there are always things I remember when hearing the news or someone elses story. If I ever get this book published it will have quotes and books that got me through hard times and those who inspired me.
Now back to meeting my Aunty Lois. Her cousin Aunty Lorna picked me up at Auckland airport. Lorna lived in a very wealthy area of Auckland and I spent a few days with her resting hearing stories about my family especially my father whom I never knew. It was very interesting to me. I found also my father had an older brother called, Gordon and I did searches and found he lived not far from Lorna in a nursing home and he had only died a few years back. They didn't even know that, Lorna or Aunty Lois.
Aunty Lois had not even told her own children my biological cousins, that myself and deceased brother Les existed until now. So they were quite excited to know about me and to meet me. Aunty Lois husband was also still alive and also knew my father well as served in World War Two together. So after having a rest Aunty Lorna drove myself up to Whangarei, north of Auckland to meet her. Aunty Lois had no idea I was coming but the rest of the family knew. When I arrived Aunty Lorna went in first and said to Lois "Guess who I have here"? and pulled me through the door. Well the look on my Auntys face was priceless, she was so shocked at first and then cried and hugged me and wouldn't let go of my hand. She sat down cuddling me and holding my hand and said she had not seen me since I was 2 years old in a old nightgown. Why I had not been talked about all these years I dont know but I was robbed of not knowing my biological cousins all these years.
The day after I arrived one of my boy cousins and his wife held a party for myself and for Aunty Lois 80th birthday. It was a great day and I got to meet my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousin's. There were children everywhere and one especially looked just like myself when I was five years old.
I only stayed just less than a week as didnt know what reception I would get when I booked my fare. But it was all good and Aunty Lois and my uncle took me out and about in the car to show me around. My Uncle was over 80 and a terrible driver. I was scared many times.lol. However my Aunty Lois wanted me to curl up in bed with her in the mornings and talk. This was the first time in my life at 50 that I felt like what it was like to feel a family connection. This was very healing for me and a sense of peace came over me after all these years of searching for my father. I never got to hug my father but his sister was the next big thing. My Aunty Lois bought me a Maori doll as a gift and I treasure that doll.
After I came home I kept in contact with my cousins over the net but that has now faded away and I only hear from my cousin Sheryl who lives in Dunedin New Zealand. She and her husband visited me once on a trip to Australia. So thats my story on my family reunion in a nutshell.
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