Making Contact

It never ceases to amaze me how the world is so small when it is connected cyberly. In the past 2 days I've had two friend requests on Facebook from my cousins in Prague. This is amazing!

My aunt responded to my email letter and it seems like the whole family is very excited about my impending visit.

Years ago my cousin V. and I used to write long letters on that really fine, thin, tissue paper like air mail paper and tell each other what they were doing.
We've fallen out of touch. She married and with children and me school and working.
In one moment, one click of a button (send) we are connected again. On Facebook I can see pictures, as they can of me.

I get the feeling that we are not that far apart and when we meet we will find that we are very close. Perhaps we even look somewhat a like.

A number of years ago I met my cousin T. and his wife when they came to Canada. I still remember seeing him for the first time and how he looked like my Dad with a full beard (I have one picture of that from the 40's). It was eerie. We had a fabulous time visiting.

My list of things to check out and have in place is growing. Having so long to plan is not a bad idea. Things like travel insurance, backpack or suitcase, take the cell phone or not and what highlights I want to see in the Czech Republic.  I don't want to miss a thing.

And so it continues....

The Gift

I have been provided a gift. One that is incredible and sad all at the same time.
This gift is going to give me the opportunity to do things I never thought possible.
But...
It's scary all at the same time too.
First of all I'd like to thank a few people for their support and encouragement through this process.
My CLM at St. Mike's and my colleagues there.
My friends and family for giving me ideas and tips.
and
My man for already worrying about me as I begin my Czech It Out Pilgrimage.

You see I am half Czech.
(The other half "O Canada"!, thanks Mom)

My father was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (as it was then known) in 1925.
He escaped and through various channels arrived in Canada in the early 50's.
He never returned.
He passed away in Southampton Ontario in 1979.

I am going on a pilgrimage to return to his country, his city and his family.

I hope to see things he saw, be where he stood and be with his family in their homes.
I will take his spirit there and join it with the niece and nephew he never met in their adulthood and share stories and pictures.

I will do my best to keep this up to date with the challenges and celebrations that come with a plan like this one.

But the Pilgrimage doesn't end there.
I'm half Canadian too!
I proudly wear (permanently) the Canadian flag on my person, as well as the Czech flag.
I'm going to see this county from one end to the other.
PEI to Victoria BC.
Prairies and mountains and lakes and fields. (Oh I hear a song coming on).

It will be an adventure!
It will be a challenge!
It will be a Czech It Out Pilgrimage!