Unexpected Visitor

In the middle of hanging up the first of many loads of washing yesterday, a vaguely-familiar man turned up at my gate, asking if I were Michelle. Well, of course I am. Turns out he's my son's dad's brother Garth! Have only met him once, about 12 years ago, but he was in the area and wanted to drop off a gigantic late-Christmas present to my son from his dad!!!

Invited him in to my horribly messy house, and we had a good chat for half an hour. Jason came home (was watching a movie elsewhere) and met the uncle he didn't know he had. He opened his present to find a big, big box of robotic lego stuff - things to build and a way to programme them by computer to do stuff. Very, very cool and a spot-on gift. Included was a photo of his dad, taken at age 10/11 - same age as my son - at a Christmas party.

In spite of past history, the visit went off very well, and we had a good time getting acquainted - we didn't really get to know each other years back.

I'm glad my son's dad did this - it shows that he does care, even though he's never met the kid, and that they have quite a bit in common (his dad is a computer guy, and J is very into computer stuff). If it wasn't for a rather jealous wife, we could probably be good friends from a distance.

In the past my greatest fear was that the guy would turn up and try take J away from me. When he migrated to America and married it was a huge relief - there are few wives who would encourage a child take-over instead of rather producing their own, and America is sufficiently distant to avoid sudden appearances. Now we seem to be buidling a tentative relationship with the "other side" of the family, one which is probably a good idea for my son. His "other" gran was an orphan and Garth mentioned yesterday that the kids often wondered about her side of the family - things like hereditary baldness and health issues, as well as wondering who the people were. I don't want J to have to wonder too much. I'd like him to know where he comes from and what his history is.

All of which could be a bit late if a job opportunity in Australia arises...