An update on this story …
This week I have been too preoccupied to read or do anything but search high and low for diaries I am no longer sure exist but have vague memories of reading which I first talked about in my post To The Father Who Doesn’t Know I Exist … (If you haven’t read it, perhaps do so first before continuing to read this update).
Has this ever happened to anyone else? You have some whisper of a memory at the edge of your subconscious and you begin to think you imagined it or dreamt it because you can’t seem to reach the whole memory to put it back together. In my instance I have a memory of reading a diary that contained the name Jimmy and details of my mums life in London after finding out she was pregnant, except I can’t pull that memory and make the pieces fit. I can’t picture the diary and nor can I find it despite searching high and low. This weekend I fear I may turn my house upside down in an effort to locate it. Because my house is so small, I’m worried I inadvertently threw it away or the memory is a complete fabrication in my mind. How does that happen? Perhaps the memory of what I read was a whisper in my ear while sleeping from a woman long since dead. I must admit the strangeness of this situation is starting to mess with my brain!
After I posted the post last Tuesday it was shared by over 300 people and viewed by more than 34,000.
Ironically it was shared by a blogger friend who I only met the week before. It was then viewed and shared by an old flatmate of hers from her London days. From there it ended up in a ex employees group of a tour company where it was seen by someone who knew him and passed that on to a family member who by Friday then contacted me. 3 days is all it took. Social media is amazing in this day and age! The world shrinks a little more with every passing year.
We are currently trying to piece things together. 34 years ago is a very long time, memories are scratched away with time and I have no corroboration to put together a timeline but we are trying to put the story together through photographs and dredging up long forgotten memories from the past.
Perhaps I will get answers or perhaps I never will but I already feel a surreal sort of peace that I know now that he exists, even if the reality is far more complicated than I anticipated. I still have had no direct contact with him and may not, however I do feel a sense of closure in how this has all panned out despite this.
Time will tell.
Pleased to hear your search is going well! Cute conversation with your child 🙂 #brillblogposts
Debbie
Random Musings recently posted…Why Is Slut Shaming Still Ok?
Thanks Debbie 🙂 Still many unanswered questions though!
That’s fantastic news about updates on your biological father – I hope you are able to have your questions answered. I’ve got the gardening bug here too – feels so good to be back outside in the sunshine after what has felt like a long, cold winter!
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red recently posted…Woman survives dinner time without losing her mind
So nice to see some sunshine, though not much of it here yet!
wow so exciting about the potential of finding your father!! Cant believe the power of social media sometimes. I haven’t read that article from Em Hawker yet, I’ll have to head over and read.
lu @looking for mama me recently posted…Its not just a virus – When mummy is sick and baby doesn’t care.
Definitely go and have a read Lu, it made me cry.
Oh wow – I have been wondering about this during the week!! Glad to hear things are progressing with finding your dad.
Lena | Lena Talks Beauty recently posted…MAC Vamplify
Thanks Lena, it’s pretty crazy!
Wow, that’s awesome progress on the search for your father. I hope you find some answers.
This week I learned that there are people who believe that 9/11 was fabricated. I also learned that someone on my friends list is one of those people. It was just mind boggling.
Tegan recently posted…Self harm, guilt and parenting
Really? What is their theory?! I’d be so interested to read their thoughts on that! So they believe the whole thing was made up or that the government were behind it?
OMG I absolutely have chills. What an amazing thing the internet is. Truly amazing.
It is but it’s more complicated than I thought too!
Thank you so much for including my post! And for helping to spread the word about #StrokeWeek15
I find the fact your post got a form of answer so soon, let alone at all, so amazing! I hope it all works out the way you want it to. x
Emily recently posted…The definition of ‘stroke’ (#strokeweek15 14-20 September)
You’re welcome Emily! It was a great post and it is such an important thing to know about.
Social media really is very powerful, and it’s always wonderful to hear when it has been used for something positive x #brilliantblogposts
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…Our Garden: Summer
I’m discovering just how powerful it is Sara!
WOW!
Wow to you being there for 9/11 … and
Wow re the search. That’s incredible.
Fantastic blog post …
You had me til the end.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted…Day 2172 – Misophonia
Thanks for the compliment Leanne 🙂
I’m so glad your social media post worked! Hopefully you’ll have all the answers you want very soon- amazing!
Amy @ Handbagmafia recently posted…A New Minister for Women?
I hope so too Amy but beginning to realise that may not happen …
It’s amazing how social media and the blogging community has come together to help you in your search
Alice Megan recently posted…What to wear for an interview
It is Alice, I’m so appreciative!
Wow you were in New York. That is an amazing piece of history. I remember 9/11 so clearly. I had just given birth to my second baby (4 weeks old) and my hubby came into the bedroom at 5 am and woke me up (grumpy because i and just been up breast feeding in the dark), and he said you need to watch this on TV. I screamed at him and then he said I will not regret watching it. OMG I cried and cried all day long – yes I was a little hormonal but the world changed that day #FYBF
Natalie @ our parallel connection recently posted…I am having an affair â how do I explain the fresh flowers delivered?
I cried too, I think most people would have shed a tear as it was just unspeakably heartbreaking.
I really can’t believe how your post on your biological father has spread throughout the world. The power of social media huh? Amazing. I’m so glad you have found nearly all the answers Haidee. Let’s hope all the future answers are positive. xo
Kelly recently posted…HAIRDRESSER, PLEASE DON’T TALK
It is amazing! I’m not really any closer to answers but it shows the power of social media in this day and age.
Thanks for the documentary recommendation. I’ve been discussing 9/11 with my 12 year old recently and how it’s changed people’s perspectives in the US. We will always remember that tragic day, but I hope we never again hear of kids like Ahmed getting mistaken for a terrorist.
Jen Rose recently posted…See how they grow!
I agree Jen.
Thank you for sharing your stories and memories so vividly. A beautiful little slice of a stranger’s life that made me feel like I know you. Lovely writing! #TheList
Anita Cleare recently posted…20 ideas to boost children’s reading skills (that don’t involve them reading books!)
Thank you Anita, that made my day 🙂
I wasn’t in the US for 9/11 but I was living in the London area when those bombings happened. It’s a strange feeling being relatively safe but having that happen so close to you.
Vanessa recently posted…Budget Food Shopping
I had left London one week before Vanessa and had been staying in a hotel outside of which one of the buses blew up. Crazy.
Wow, I’m so glad you made a connection and even if you never manage to make sense of it all you’ve achieved something. Hope you manage to have some direct contact at some point. x
Morgan Prince recently posted…Thomas Sabo Charm Club Freshwater Pearl Bracelet Review
I agree Morgan, it’s all still very confusing with no real answers but I’m not sad I tried.
Wowzers! The power of the interwebs, hey? The world isn’t that big after all, is it? However, this all pans out, I hope you get the closure you wanted. How good was Emily’s post? My husband had a stroke last year at the age of 43, and thankfully, he’s made a full recovery but man, I wish we both knew then what we know now. When it comes to your health, knowledge really is power. Thanks for linking up to the Ultimate Rabbit Hole!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted…The Ultimate Rabbit Hole #36
Wow, that is a young age for a stroke Sammie (mind you, my mum was 43 when she died of breast cancer so there is really no telling is there?). Glad he made a full recovery!
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
Wow! How wonderful social media can be. I hope the pieces continue to come together.
Karin @ Calm to Conniption recently posted…The Ultimate Rabbit Hole #36: Dark days are over!
Thanks Karin, the world is so small these days.
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
Social media is amazing isn’t it. Think what could be achieved if people used it for good like this everyday. Thanks fo rmuch for linking to #Thelist x
You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Gratitude List #67
Totally amazing 🙂
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
I’m still so excited for you about the search. I’m waiting to hear what happens next.
That post by Em was brilliant wasn’t it? Hell, she’s a good writer. I want to be like her when I grow up.
EssentiallyJess recently posted…Practically Perfect
Haha, I’m pretty sure you are already like her Jess 🙂
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
Amazing progress with your search so far, I hope you find the answers you seek. Social media is indeed amazing1 #thelist
Mrs Tubbs recently posted…Hello Mum! The Tubblet Gets Ready for the Rugby World Cup. #mysundayphoto
Thanks!
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
That’s absolutely nuts that you’ve made that progress in just a few days. Social media genuinely is astonishing. Its a fascinating story. #thelist
Helen – Mess Stress and Fancy Dress recently posted…Parenting Joint Venture Contract
It is nuts! I’m still shocked it took only 3 days.
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
Wow! The wonders of social media! So happy that so many people shared your story, Haidee x
Grace recently posted…FYBF – Taking a punt
Thanks Grace, me too.
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)
Gosh the beginning of the search for your dad has been amazing – just 3 days to get the ball rolling. Good luck with putting all the puzzle pieces together xx
The rest of the week sounds great, I wish I could motivate myself to get out in the garden thought…
thanks for linking up to #TheList xx
Hannah Mums’ Days recently posted…Fussy eating sticker chart
Your garden was looking pretty good in the post you wrote a month or so ago Hannah!
Haidee recently posted…The Weekly Sum Up (#5)