Family

As I mentioned before, I think that I'm closer to most of my extended family than a lot of people these days. One of these days, I need to work on a family tree because some of the extended family names are confusing. I have had some luck researching my Mother's side of the family. But my Dad's has been more difficult - his parents have a different name because they chose to change their sons names at a young age. It has to do with trying to shed your Polish heritage in Chicago to get a good job - but even knowing their birth name hasn't brought me much luck.

There's only one relation we occasionally see - my Mom's sister in Texas. She has two sons (both grown and married; one has three kids). This spring both sons came within weeks of each other. One of them was mayor of New Braunsfels, TX and running for re-election against a tough opponent. I will not explain why we don't stay as close (I don't want it to be a soap opera story), but I hadn't heard anything since I saw him in April. Unfortunately, my cousin Adam Cork did not get re-elected.

It's weird - I'm not sure if I should try and call him, or send a note. I don't even know if the address I have for him is still good. The election was over a month ago, and I don't know if I'd be rubbing salt into an old wound.

While I know why some of my Mom's family does not keep close with her sister, I don't think it's fair for her children to be shunned because of what happened. I'll have to think about what the thoughtful thing to do is.