BakerBitch

I'm sorry for the pain you were subjected to. I wish you had had a loving family to take care of you and hope you find some peace.

How much wiggle room do I have to negotiate for a new mattress set?

My parents divorced when I was young and my mom remarried when I was in 4th grade. My step dad adopted me.

In my life, I spent a few days with Dad one summer when I went to visit with my grandparents. I remember a phone call when I was in high school.

I am now 43. I found him online using some good guesses for location and working out his approximate age. I have his phone number.

I haven't called.

Some long lost cousin emailed me a few days ago asking if I knew how to get in touch with him. I lied and said no... and he later emailed me with the same phone number.

Still haven't called. I'm chicken. I have no idea what to say. I don't know if I'm ready for any sort of emotional day that's sure to follow it. I don't want to talk to my mom about it - but would have to talk to her about it. We're close and it would just come spilling out. Besides, not telling her about it would imply there is something to hide about it or something.

I can make up lots of excuses not to call, apparently.

I'd rather email. Or see a few photos.

While researching, I found a letter to the editor of the newspaper that appears to be from him. At first, I was reading and thinking: "Oh no - how did he get to be some right wing wacko". Then I saw that that the 2 letters were merged together and his was the second letter, which talked about him getting in trouble for feeding homeless people. This made me feel a little better. But I still didn't call.