Saturday I'll be flying out for the day to visit my grandmother for her 96th birthday and will finally meet my half-sister (my biological father's daughter.) We've talked on the phone a few times and she seems like a really nice person, so I know that this will not be an uncomfortable meeting. I'm looking forward to it, actually, because she's so fun to talk to. I dare say that she's even friendlier than I am. Is it possible?

Lots has happened with my grandmother since the last time I visited her. She is failing in both health and memory and is now living with one of my aunts. I'm prepared that this will be the last time I see her. She may not even know who I am, and I'm OK with that. After all, she only met me five years ago.

I suspect that after this meeting, I'll be inclined to keep in touch with my half-sister. I really hate that term, because I don't have ANY full-blooded siblings, and certainly don't refer to them as my half-brother, etc., yet I feel that calling her 'sister' would somehow dishonor the relationship I have with the siblings I grew up with.

I'll figure all of that out, I'm sure.

It's going to be a long and most likely emotional day for me. I fly out in the early morning, and fly back that night. I suspect that there will be lots of processing going on in my noggin, and for that I'm thankful for my trusty blog. In a few years, I'll look back on this part of my history and will have figured out everything by then. It'll be a nice reminder of my feelings and thoughts.

What a ride it's been, eh? It all started on Feb 23, 2005, when I both found my father and found out he was dead on the very same day. I didn't stop searching there, and am thankful for my tenacious nature. That lead to finding my grandmother, still alive at the age of 92, excited about meeting me.

When I think back over the last five years, I can hardly believe the roller-coaster of 'stuff' I've experienced. If I were to just tell my story to someone, I'm pretty sure they'd think I was embellishing because seriously? Just wow. No regrets and lots of wonder and opportunities for growth.

I suspect that 2010 is going to be a year of growth for me, which means there are both difficult and wonderful things in store. I have a feeling that this visit will go down in the 'wonderful' column.