"One Up on Oprah" ......or Finding my own two Half Sisters

Oprah's announcement today-of finding a new Half Sister, Patricia, for me, personally, was interesting and emotional., Although my family dynamics were substantially different, not only did I find ONE half sister,,but TWO, about 10 years ago. 

(Oprah and newfound half sister, Patricia)

When I was 15, and having HUGE frustrations and what I considered humiliations from my "Dad," Milt,,,,of which I'd been venting to my Mother,,,she pulled into a gravel church parking lot, turned off the engine of her little Red Rambler-looked at me and declared, "He is NOT you Real Father."

I turned my head- Right, Left, looked through the car windshield and thought to myself, "are we in a Movie, or am I in some weird dream???" Okay, so, my family was pretty Normal,,,,I mean, I thought it was Normal,,,,,,

Sidebar.............

My mother had me at 40,,,,,,and I had 3 ,,count 'em 3 brothers.My youngest brother Ross,  was 10 years older than me,,,,,,and, I had two OTHER "brothers" 16 and 17 years older than me....

As a teen, all of this kind of registered. And my Mom, who was my dearest, best friend,when she finally "told me," only didn't really,  didn't elaborate. I got scared. Scared to ask questions,,,,scared to Rock the Boat that was my family, my life and my existence. Truthfully? I craved a  story \an answer to all the questions that started piling up in my head-once she unleashed the truth..... I longed to know,,,,,Who was my bio dad? But I loved my mother so, and she didn't seem willing to share elaborate, and so I was afraid,,,,I didn't ask more.

A funny thing happened after she told me. The "Dad" that had raised me took on a different light in my world.

Prior to her announcement,,,,,all I thought was,,,,,He could be ill-mannered, swear like the sailor he formerly was,  embarras me, And in spite of their affluence/wealth, he'd wear thrift store or navy issued clothing, when he could have afforded much better,,,,,and periodically brought things home from the thrift store,,,,But,, i started to accept,,,and shortly thereafter, I "warmed."

With all of his faults and flaws, He gave me a happy childhood. He "raised me up." He made me believe I could BE and do anything. Yeah, I "did" all the girl things,,,but I did the "boy" things too. I went Fishing and Camping and I even learned how to shoot a gun, although all I ever shot at were tin cans,,,,,,,and truly, I could NEVER understand how the guys could go off and shoot Birds, Deer and Elk. But I was HIS princess,,,,,He loved me,,,,and always, always treated me like "his own." And even AFTER I found out he wasn't my "Real Dad," I never elluded to the fact that I'd learned that. He WAS,,,,,,my "Dad."

But later on, after having my own kids, and watching them grow, and my mother grew older I truly craved to know more about the "other half of my DNA,,,,,my bio Dad. And I researched and researched on the Internet and made endless phone calls and wrote  emails and letters........and Finally,,,,,,,,I found out about my "Bio Dad". And the other half of my Family.

By the time I  completed my researchsh,,,,,My Bio Dad, James T. Flanigan had passed away. He died just prior to my being widowed in 1994. His mother, my Grandmother outlived him, but by the time I finished my search, she was gone too. ...

But here's the "Oprah" part......or better yet! I finally "found" two half sisters, I never knew I had . One, Theresa, lives in Cork, Ireland- and also has two boys,,,,,,,. And my other sister Patricia,,,,,or Patty,,,,,lives in Germany with her two boys!

We're not close,,,,,,yet, or at least as close as I would like to be with either. After all, it's a newfound alliance and the Miles make it difficult. And yet........If you were to ask me......"How many Brothers and sister I have?" I'd  say, "Five." My Step Brothers, Bob and Bill,,,,,My Half (and closest) brother Ross, and My half sisters Patty and Theresa.

Life can throw us ALL curves........Me, Oprah.............perhaps you!

I think you need to embace it ALL~ Inspite of "irregularities," I had a GREAT childhood, full of "brothers that loved me,,,,,,a Mom who protected me. You cannot change your past,,,,,only accept and embrace the future!

Hugs, love and Bus,,,,,,and share it all with those that need it right now!

(Lots of empathy, lots of healing, lots of prayers going out to ALL  those we love!) As I've grown closer with Blog friends, I've learned of their trials, their pains, their losses AND their triumphs!  I wouldn't have it any different! My heart and prayers go out to you all,,it's been a tough couple of months for many of you!

Take care, be strong!

Shell