Long Lost Family sans Davina McCall

Meryl, grandma and Buddy, San Francisco,1947.

I wrote about a potential half-sibling of my mother's here. However, to recap a bit, here's a bit of background: I and another biological half-cousin, Dee, sent notes of inquiry via the genetic testing site 23 and Me to a woman called Ginny. Ginny, it appeared, was exactly as genetically related to us as Dee and I were to each other. The email that I sent to Ginny went unanswered and I let it lie. 

Unbeknownst to me, Dee was persistent and sent a further more detailed note to our genetic relative which ultimately ignited a response. The two of them compared notes and it was determined that my mother and Ginny's mother were, indeed, half-sisters born 14 months apart. Both were given up--my mom was given to Irene to raise with her husband and two older children and Margaret was formally given up for adoption at hospital.

Ginny's mother Margaret, an only child, had always known she was adopted. Adoptions were a closed affair back in the 40s, so Margaret knew, of course, nothing of her birth family. Ginny's mother was thrilled to find out she had a half-sister and quickly got in touch. 

Yesterday, my mother met this long-lost half-sister for the first time at a restaurant at Pier 39 in San Francisco. I tagged along at the behest of my mother and I'm glad I did because I was able to take photos of the two of them, write down bits of information shared and steer the conversation when needed. 

All of us had brought along a few family photos to share. My mom shared photos I had never seen. The above snap was one of them. In the picture are my bio-grandmother, Meryl, my grandma, Irene, and my uncle. I knew that Meryl and Irene had known each other via Irene's younger sister, May, but hadn't really visualized the two of them ever socializing together. Interesting to note about this photo is that it was taken after my mother had been born, but before Margaret had been born. Had Meryl known when this photo was taken that she were pregnant? 

My Mom and Margaret seemed to get on and I liked Margaret, too. With them sitting across the table from me, I could see, actually, that they didn't much resemble each other. They both, however, possess dark-green eyes which I thought was neat as did they.

After lunch, Meg and Mom wanted to walk around Pier 39, visit the sea-lions and see the double-decker carousel. I really wanted to leave them to themselves. I wasn't feeling tip-top anyway and asked them if it were all right that I left. They were in favor. I sat on a bench and watched them disappear into the crowd before I stood up and left for home. 

Mom waiting for Margaret

Mom and Meg, meeting after some 72 years.