I'm excited for both of you!

Banjer, this is great. How far from your home in Florida is this West Virginia family? I do hope you've found the right one, and that you will LOVE your new relatives... Don't forget to keep us updated!

Rock Chick, the best of luck to you and your mother. If you find that Gardner MacDonald is no longer among us, I think katlaughing's suggestion is an excellent one. It's a well-demonstrated fact that writing or talking in isolation to someone when you can not physically confront them is an effective tool for closure. But maybe you will find he is alive and well.

Thanks, guys. A wonderful thread.

Ebbie