There's a Certain Symmetry at Work

Long story short... I have been reunited with my father's side of the family with whom there has been no contact since around 1962-ish. My father and his family live in the Dallas (Texas) area. 

A friend mentioned that this discovery was coming at this time because now I am ready to deal with it, as opposed to when we were in high school and contemplating trying to find my father. She's right it is better now than it would have been then.

Another friend mentioned today that this new family discovery was all the more special as it had come during the Easter season. I hadn't thought of that. But it is the fact that this is the Easter season is where the symmetry comes into play.

In 1995 in early March, during Lent, I was in Fort Worth Texas for a work related conference. I had not wanted to go. I had a horrible feeling about going. On Saturday March 11th I was a wreck. Couldn't sit still, kept trying to call home and getting no answer... just knew something was wrong. And it was. I got the call that night. My husband had died that day in an accident.

So there I was in Texas. Close to Dallas, or at least close enough, with absolutely NO IDEA that my father, my half-brother and two step-sisters were not far away. That there was family just over there, around the corner, down the road. 

Flash forward to 2011, April 13th, it is Lent. A friend suggestion comes across from a young man whom I suspect may be a relative but am not really certain. He suggests I friend his grandmother. I figure what the heck, and do so. Shortly thereafter I receive an email. This lady is my father's wife... my stepmother. In that one email we have come back around to Texas, to a family connection.... during Lent. Sixteen years, one month and two days later.

During Lent in 1995 I lost my family, my husband, my best friend.

During Lent in 2011 I found my family, my father, my siblings, new friends.