About 15 years ago Matt and I were introduced to a long lost relative, and their family. This meant so much to us. We visited together several times and seemed to get along great. Their whole family even attended our wedding. About 6 months later they had a health scare and needed surgery. We visited with them in the hospital, brought a nice gift and everything seemed to be fine.
That year, shortly before Christmas, the relative showed up at our door. They were immediately invited in. They declined, and simply handed me a wrapped present. I was told it was a Christmas gift for us. I don't remember the rest of the short conversation, I just came away from it with the idea that we would not be seeing them anymore. I still was not quite sure what had just happened. I walked to the window and watched as they walked to the car. Shoulders were sagging, and feet were dragging. Everything I saw told me that it was not their idea, and this was the last thing they wanted to do. Our thought is that the spouse was not comfortable with us being in their lives, and put a stop to it. Although during our visits we didn't get any indication that they were uncomfortable with us being around.
That was the last we saw of them. Matt made a few attempts over the phone, but was not given a warm reception. Obviously more than a decade has passed, we have gone through trials and triumphs, and at each juncture our thoughts include them. When our children were born, I sent baby announcements with the hope that we would get some response. Still nothing.
They have really been on my mind lately, and I keep wishing that they would just magically walk back into our lives. They kept coming to mind today, and I found myself praying for them, and asking God to help me accept that for now the answer seems to be no. Someday I hope and pray that our children will be able to meet them, but for now I guess we just wait and hope...
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