On January 11, 2016, I published a post about finding the family of one of my mother’s best friends, “The I Cannot Decide What to Do. Really.”
Mom’s friend had passed away in her 50s to cancer, and my Mom, who lived until her early 80s, always wondered what happened to the family. Her friend had moved to Texas and Mom lived in New Jersey.
Thanks to Tracing the Tribe members, I found out that the husband had also passed away, and an address. So I sent a copy of a photo I had to that address with a note. I also published the blog with the names in it hoping that would help as well. And I waited.
In August 2016, I received an email from her youngest daughter. I was so excited. But it was just a few weeks to my daughter’s wedding. And I had a lot on my mind. We emailed back and forth a bit, and she told me more about her family.
She told me that I had spelled her Mom’s maiden name wrong. Once she told me , I had a revelation. There are my parent’s wedding list, were not only family members from her Dad’s side, but also her mother’s family.
I found out that her father’s family owned the poultry market in West New York… I went there often with my grandma! And her Mom’s family owned the meat market! I had been there as well as a child. My grandparents owned the bakery. It made sense that they were such good friends.
I promised to send her the original photo of her Mom from December 1945.
But the wedding came and went. And life got busy. Most important, I had forgotten to write down her email address. To be honest, I could not remember her name. I knew it began with a J. And that was it. Every once in a while I would try to find it.
Last week I saw the photo again. My guilt overwhelmed me. I began a massive searched through my email using different search terms. Finally I figured out the right one. She appeared! I emailed her immediately and apologized.
She does want the photo. And sent me her address.
Evelyn on left, and Fran, my Mom.
To make up for my long delay, I also mailed her the original photo of our mothers together from that same day in 1945. Yesterday they went in the mail. I hope it brings her joy! I also hope that if they travel from Texas to Kansas City, I have a chance to meet her.
zicharonot 
Having just reunited someone with a note written to them, I know that wonderful feeling when you can share something like those photographs of someone’s loved one. Good work!
Truth!!