A very special gift.

[Columbia Craw]

My Mom and Dad divorced when I was 23 years old.  That's about forty years ago.  When my Dad left my Mom, he didn't take much with him, but he did take most of the family photos and all the photos of his family before I was born.  Our relationship was awkward for a long time after and his wife was did not want anything to do with me and my family.  I learned to accept that.  When my Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was never notified he was having a lung removed but the information leaked out and I was there when the surgeon came in with the news.

 

The next twenty nine months were special for both of us because it opened a door for me to become a part of his life and for his wife to see who I was.  What ever issues she had with me paled in comparison with my desire to be there for my father and for her.  My Dad died on a December day 20 years ago. My relationship with his wife quickly became distant. Well my step-mother recently passed away.  Her son and daughter came to me.  I hadn't seen them since my Dad's funeral service.  They had gone through their mother's estate and found a box of photos.  They were the photos my Dad took with him when he left.  My Dad's wife never mentioned them to me and I did not press her.  Her children immediately recognized what those photos were and what they might mean to me and they gave them to me. I have not had a single photo of my Dad and or his Mother, Brothers and Sisters until know.  

 

This is one of the greatest gifts I have received in my entire life.  A picture is worth a thousand tears. It has helped me to have some closure in a time of year that isn't always jolly.  It was special to see my Uncle, who is my name's sake and my Dad's baby brother.  I can see myself in him.  My Dad's baby sister looks just like my youngest daughter.  I would have never known had not been for an act of kindness.  

[S. Sass]

Some people actually have a heart and do the right thing. Its getting pretty hard to find people like that these days. Glad the pics came back to you. 

[dwh4784]

Great story, and as a son with a similar stepmom situation it gives me hope that it might not be like that forever.

[Dwight Hottle]

Great story with a happy ending. 

[Last_Cast]

Awesome!