Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Dear niece...or so I thought....



A year had passed and I was staring at my computer screen to a message from a man that had took the time out to write me several long paragraphs...before I even read the message...I thought...this is it...this man knows something....and well...he did...

His message began quite matter-of-factly with him confessing that he saw my message over a year ago and simply had ignored him. But, now a year later...curiosity had gotten the best of him. He went on to tell me that he needed some clarification from me before he could disclose any further information to me. He explained that in the past several people had tried to “maneuver” (his words, not mines) their way into his family and he first needed to make sure I didn’t want anything from the.
My reaction: Disbelief!!! Anger!!! Excitement!!! All rolled in one....the audacity of this man to approach me as if I am some money0hungry, broke, and dissolute child that is in search for a handout. Absolutely not, I have never nor will I ever want anything from this family besides the truth....and maybe acceptance (Still working on a definitive conclusion about that one.). Needless to say, I took several deep breaths, shot up a quick prayer and begin to respond as eloquently as possible. I of course included my college education, multiple degrees, and pursuit of an M.D. (still in the making). I spoke of my lovely family that I was blessed with and concluded it by telling him I LOVE my family, I’m content with them...but I have a childish aspiration to find people who I actually look like...that’s all I wanted...it’s all I’ve ever wanted.

After what seemed like an eternity...he replied. He told me that he remembered his parents talking about me years ago and he stayed out it because it was grown folks business. He said his brother had been in trouble and had been shipped off to avoid causing his parents anymore headaches. He said he didn’t keep in touch with his brother, but figured he was still in Georgia somewhere, but he didn’t know for sure. He said he remembered once meeting another young mother who said she had a child with his brother but he did not keep in touch. I now believe that he is talking about me because I remember my mother saying she gave a picture of me to one of his brothers a long time ago.
He concluded the letter by telling me we should take it slow and not rush anything. I replied and thanked him for his reply and then there was NOTHING...not one other word....this man proceeded to add me as a friend and I checked several months later and he had deleted me....

That pain...was worse than being ignored....why would someone do that? I thought that was unusually cruel and coldhearted. I guess it was foolish of me to think this man who had never met me would embrace me as his niece. I just figured I would never turn my back on someone who said they were family. I convinced myself that his slow must be a different kind of slow, but now...two years later...unless this man has snails as distant relatives....he’s officially the slowest man on earth.......

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