Family Tree
Family Tree
About once a year when I go home to Toledo to visit for the holidays or some other occasion I usually spend time with my 5 brothers and inevitably we’ll agree that doing the family genealogy would be a good idea – especially on my Dad’s side – the Szenderski’s. The problem has been that our parents and grandparents are gone and because my father was an only child there are no aunts or uncles to answer questions about anything. We know there are more of us around but we never seem to have the time or energy to go tracking down the info.
Out here in California, I’m pretty much the only Szenderski there is, other than my sons and so the family tree is not a top of mind topic. I’ve actually adopted and been adopted by another family anyway. My boys’ mom’s family is great. I was close to them when I was married to Shannon and it just never seemed right to separate. So even well after 10 years after the divorce we still routinely get together for holidays and such. I credit this to all of our deep appreciation and love for family in all of its various configurations and the simple fact that we like each other. There’s more to it of course but that’s not the story for today.
Having said all that, I send the Book of Szen stories to Shannon’s family too. So last week I get the following e-mail from my sister-in-law, Beverly.
“Hello, I totally enjoyed your short stories. I wanted to let you know a few weeks ago when I was in Vegas I decided to go see Toni Braxton. I was seated next to a friendly couple and we started talking, they were visiting from Toledo….I said my brother in law is from Toledo his name is Gary Szenderski…well he almost fell off his chair. It turns out it’s a relative of yours named Joe Szenderski; I think his Dad’s name is Andrew. Well he would love to hear from you, he’s done the family genealogy. His e-mail address is …”
How do these kinds of things happen? I don’t know, but I can tell you why – they are supposed to. Joe and I are in touch after not seeing each other since college. It seems that our great grandfathers were brothers. I think that means that we’re third cousins, but it also means it’s a pretty small world, especially when it comes to family. Enjoy yours.
Gary
From the Book of Szen
First published September 2006
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