sandraleecleary

Last night I received my first Christmas present of the year. A most welcomed gift given after twenty years of searching for a father I knew nothing about.

I was so close so many times, or rather I thought I was, but when I sat down to the computer last night and started putting names into my DNA matches I got my biggest hit. My grandmother’s side of the tree. Lo, and behold I have fourth cousins from that side of the family. Wow and wow.

And now you have the rest of the story. I feel like I’m talking in circles, can’t concentrate, my words are running over each other. Let me see if I can jot down what I found out so you won’t be as up in the air as I am.

From the time I was eight years old my mother said my last name was Eisentrager, not the name I’d been going under. But she said I still had to use the name of Wideen. No changing even though I was not a Wideen. Go figure.

I did do quite a bit of research on the Eisentrager side of the family but nothing ever clicked. But I trucked on. My mother passed away in 1995 and in 1996 I was able to get her divorce papers. From those papers I learned her well kept secret. She’d had an affair while Eisentrager was off to war and from that affair their was a child. It had my birthdate. Now I have another name to research “Bud Wyburn”.

In 2007 I had my DNA done with Family Tree DNA. I couldn’t figure out anything from the charts I was sent so I just set it aside. Then in 2010 I decided to go with Ancestry and had my DNA tested. Still nothing close showed up. Then last year I had my DNA tested with 23and me. Still no close matches.

Recently, with more and more people having their DNA tested I’ve been getting a lot more matches and from those matches I’ve finally figured out who my biological father is. Of course it didn’t happen overnight and I was taken up one road and down the other, but like I said, last night it all came together. Now maybe I might be able to meet one or two of that family. If not, at least I know.

Until then………………..

I’m all of the above. As most of you know I’ve been looking for my biological father for over fifteen years. About ten years ago I finally had my DNA done. I’ve check so many times to see if I had any close matches but alas, I had none. Then about a year ago I got a match to a third-fourth cousin. Then it seemed like that group all had their DNA done. It was the line from Mattocks and Kinsel. But no one any closer than the third-fourth cousin.

I didn’t even know what name to look for. My mother took all the information to the grave with her. So the blood hound (that’s what my brother calls me) in me started getting serious about finding some answers. I can truthfully say I know more about the Mattocks-Kinsel line than even they know.

Oh wait, I did that with another name that I thought I was related to and after eight to ten years I found out I had the wrong person. But I made a few friends along the way. This time with the DNA I’ve been getting a lot of hits with the Mattocks-Kinsel names. So, there has to be something to this. Right?

What my mother did keep was some pictures but I had no idea who they were. She did date the pictures. That was good. But I wasn’t having any luck identifying them. I still may not have any luck. I will have to be more patient. God is really working on me with this patience thing!

So let me get back to the DNA. This week I got a match to a first cousin and the names that came up was Mattocks-Kinsel. I worked on it for two days. My friend worked on it for two days. We came up with the same info. The same hits. I was ready to cry. My heart was racing. Then I had to sit down. Could this really be it? What do I do now? I didn’t believe it. Should I believe it? So many questions. Did God put it in front of me finally. Was I ready for it? I took the plunge. I contacted a few people. I’m now waiting.

Check back and see if I finally found the father I never I knew.

Until then……………………………

I made it to Wall Street, New York City. Didn’t get to take home any money! Oh well, what’s money. The route to all evil. At least that’s what I’ve been told.

Our surprise trip started from Dallas. The grandson had no idea what was in store for him. My daughter and I’d been planning his thirteenth birthday trip for over six months. He’s a teenager now! Actually we started out from San Antonio and took him to Dallas. We told him that was his birthday present. But in the early morning hours we got him up and said we didn’t want to stay here so let’s go back to the airport and go somewhere else. He was so sleepy he didn’t argue. When we got to the airport we went straight to our gate. A smile appeared on his sweet face. From there our adventure began.

I bought him a hostess cupcake from Toys R Us and said that was his birthday cake. Let me tell you it was a BIG cupcake. So chocolaty.

From Times Square to catch the Big Bus for our bus tour of the city. I highly recommend it. The only way to see the city, hop on, hop off. They took us everywhere. Had a lot of our meals from the small vendors on the street. Food was actually pretty good. The grandson got his first New York hotdog. Loved it!

The best surprise was going to see Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. I was in awe of the theatre. All I could think of was all of the stars who graced the stage from Vaudeville to present. He was in awe of the play. At the end he told his mother he was going to be on that stage some day. I believe it.

It was a short trip but a fun trip. We packed all the sights we could into just a couple of days. This trip will be one my grandson will remember forever. So will grandma!

Until then my friends………………………………..

Today marks the first day of hubby’s retirement. I awoke as usual by the crying of our little Shiatsu. She wanted to get up before I usually got her up. I try to keep the three dogs on a schedule but sometimes they get out of whack. But like a good Momma I waited till seven then got up, put them out to do their business, brought them back in and fed them.  I then took my vitamins and juice and brought out the bacon to fry. I thought I’d be a good wife and fix hubby a nice breakfast. An hour later I sat his meal in front of him and said. “Happy retirement. Day one. Don’t expect this every day. Enjoy.”

Yesterday was hubby’s last day at work and the send off couldn’t have been nicer. “They really like me.” Hubbs said later that evening.

I reassured him again, yes, they indeed do like you.

This is for his front porch sitting. Now I really don’t see him doing a whole lot of this but maybe some day. Beautiful rocker.

His secretary made him a gorgeous quit that now lays on the back of our couch. He can look at it often and see how much he was appreciated.

       All in all it was a incredibly, fabulous, awesome retirement. He received many wonderful gifts, so many to start listing. You know who you are and he and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I know these are mushy words to describe the party but so many people came to wish him well. He was overwhelmed. I kept telling him yes, they do like you!

Thank you J & J Worldwide Services, BAMC, SAMMC for my husband’s last fourteen years. Proud to be a part of this organization. Thank you, Jesus, for guidance and always watching over my husband.

Now, on to Chapter Three. Until then……………………………………..

Well here I am again. Finally. Hubby is back from California and already counting down his final days to retirement. A big adjustment for both of us. Am I ready? Guess I’ll have to be.

In the meantime my good friend and I have purchased the Franklin Scribes Publishing Co from a dear friend’s widow. He passed away in June. His hard work of three years just couldn’t be cast aside so here we are learning the publishing business. My friend is also the Assistant Principal of a newly formed Christian Academy in Bulverde called Living Rock Academy. So you see we’ve really bit off a lot and all at once.

Like I said before my book is finished and I’m still trying to refine it. We’re working on the cover now too. Everything is in process, just going very slow. I’m so ready to see it in print. My friends are too. They keep asking about it. Please keep me in your thoughts…

The holidays are fast approaching and soon we’ll see everything decorated for Thanksgiving then Christmas. And the hustle and bustle of shopping! Time really does go by way too fast. So with that said, let me get back to editing.

Until then my friends……………….

This past month as been non stop. I’d like to say it’s been productive, well it has in a way. I need to sit and jot down all the things I’ve done and places I’ve been since my last post.

 Big five day American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference in Dallas. I’ve been in brain overload with so much information. Good information. I should not go so long between conferences. Plus seeing friends. Great friends willing to help you in your writing endeavor.

Now on to the BIG news!!! My friend and I purchased a published company from one of our dear friend’s widow. He, John Mills, passed away suddenly the end of June. His company was a ministry for him, to help others achieve the goal of publishing their books. Judy and I wanted to carry that legacy on. So here we are. And we are learning a LOT! Very slowly, well slowly for me anyway. My brain doesn’t work as quick as Judy’s. We covet all prayers.

Like I’ve stated before my book has been finished, still fine tuning a few things, took pictures a few weeks ago for the cover.  Still working on that aspect. So be on the look out for it. Title has been changed to “White Moccassins.”  I’m excited.

The other big thing going on, hubby was sent to California to work for over a month. So looking forward to him being home next week. So is he. I did take a trip out and he took me through Napa Valley. Oh my goodness, so many wineries. I never would have believed it. Beautiful country even with all the wildfires going on at the time. I lived in Southern California for over twenty years but never got the chance to see Napa Valley. But then, way back when, there wasn’t but a couple of wineries in the valley. Does that date me?

So here I am pouring my heart out to you, trying to get caught up, working away on finishing book, waiting for hubby, and ……..  Will be home for short time before taking short vacation with hubby as he is retiring the end of October. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that. A new chapter to our life.

Until then…………………………

I just returned from the most wonderful trip to Pennsylvania with my daughter and her three children. Along the way I overheard her say to her oldest, “How did our vacation turn into gma’s walk down memory lane?”    I really wanted to make the trip to Wellsboro but time didn’t permit that. That’s on my bucket list for next time. I have another friend from Wellsboro and I thought it would be great to see where she lived. Plus there is a road there called Sheer Road, her last name. How great is that? Guess you could say I do have a Pennsylvania connection. Beautiful state with the tall trees and mountains. Even my daughter wanted to transplant some of the trees to Texas.

First off I’m writing my memoir. Yea, me. Second the kids wanted to go to Hershey Park. Thirdly, the first and second were close by each other. You see, sixty five years ago I lived in New Cumberland when my father was stationed at Cumberland Depot, and, Hershey Park was just that at that time, a park. I remember my parents going there to picnic and yes, I did ride on the kiddie rides.

The most exciting thing for me was being able to visit my girlfriend of more than sixty years. We’ve kept in touch by letters all these years. We shared our high school experiences, getting married, our children growing up and marrying, by letter. When we met this time it was like I’d never left. It was wonderful. She took me to our old house, which has been torn down, the church I was baptized in, the school we both went to, and even the post where my dad was stationed. Somehow though, everything looked much smaller this time. How did that happen???

 My friend and I in front of her garden. The grandkids said we looked like sisters. Maybe it was our white hair. How did that happen???

From Hershey we went to Gettysburg and took the double decker bus tour. I highly recommend it. The view from the top is great. Everyone had a headset to hear about all the landmarks. Gettysburg has taken great care to preserve their heritage of the Civil War. I was impressed on how much the grandkids liked hearing the history.

From there we took the children to Mount Vernon. I asked the kids if they knew who George Washington was. The six year old said he’s on the dollar. I’m impressed. She didn’t know anything else, but she knows her money!

On our way home we stopped in Charleston and took a carriage ride through the streets. So much history there too. I thought we were overloading the kids little brains, but they were eager to press on. Alas, after a week away from home it was time to make our way back. Hubby and daddy were missing us.

Now I’m trying to play catch up again. Off to Idaho in a week. Time with hubby, brother and his wife.

So, until then …………………………….

I did it, I finally got my first two chapters of Katie off to someone who will read it and give me feedback, at the conference. I’ve agonized over sending the pages but if you don’t jump in you don’t know. Period.

I’ve been checking different avenues for publishing and it all looks scary. Send out query letters. Don’t send out letters. Send your manuscript. Don’t send. What’s a writer to do?

Follow your heart. Listen to the still small voice. Pray.

Katie wants to tell her story.

We shall see. Until then…………………

John Mills, author, publisher at Franklin Scribes passed away a week ago. He is going to be missed by family and friends. I looked forward to meeting with him, along with several other writers on Monday evenings at our favorite restaurant, Fiesta Patio in Universal City. We hashed out our differences on writing, talked about which conference would benefit each other, and just enjoyed each other’s company. After dinner we’d walked across the parking lot to the church for our Christian Writer’s Group meeting.

I met John about eight years ago when he started working on his book, Buried. He was in my group of fiction writers. Actually there were three in my group who were working on their first book, I being one of them.

The Christian Writer’s Group has two groups of fiction writers and two groups of non fiction. We critique each other’s writing helping the writer to further their story to publication.

John always reminded me of that boy who sat in the back of the class cracking jokes, throwing spit wads, and anything else to disrupt the class. He had a heart of gold though and wanted to help others see the fruitarian of their hard work, plus he wanted his work published. He was not a happy camper with writing the synopsis, cover letter, and jumping through hoops to get his book published. Hence, he started his own company: Franklin Scribes. He has helped several friends in our group publish their books since.

Rest in peace, John, but I do have a bone to pick with you when I see you again. How dare you up and die on me before you published my first book! It’s finished, now I have to jump through the hoops. All kidding aside, you are going to be missed sorely.

Prayers go out to his wife and family.

When I hear the word Oklahoma I think of the musical and the song Oklahoma. Their state is as diverse as Texas. The east side is hilly, full of trees, and rivers. The west side is, well, is a desert. Flat, red dirt. Barren, but in an odd way pretty.

Enough said about the terrain. I took a three day road trip with two of my daughters and three grandchildren. I say road trip because we usually fly. If you want to really know your children ride twelve hours in a suburban with them. Really, I laughed so hard on several occasions I could hardly see to drive. We reminisced of days gone by, gossiped, and just plain enjoyed each other’s company. Oh yes, did I mention we ate our way all along IH 35.

At exit 55 you can roam the Chickasaw Welcome Center where they have their own candy factory called Bedre. Free samples. Everyone loves chocolate, and free! They also have a wonderful information center located right beside the factory. Clean restrooms, that’s a plus too. Jellies, books, Indian jewelry, etc. If you pick up the Adventure Road 35 map you will see all kinds of places to stop at. Check it out.

Well the trip to Oklahoma was to take the granddaughter the t-shirts and book I bought on my trip to New England. It wasn’t until Oklahoma City that I received that brilliant flash in my brain. “I forgot to pack the t-shirts and book!” Wouldn’t you know. Oh, well, I mailed it to her as soon as I got home.

The grandchildren had a wonderful time playing with their cousins, and that was well worth the trip.

Now to finish up a few things around the house, get some writing done, then I’m off to Pennsylvania. Hopefully going to take in Hershey and Philadelphia. Educational and fun at the same time.

Until then…………………………………