If I have learned anything at all during the course of this trip, I've learned to never assume that you know the whole story. Everything John told me about his family left me in complete shock. The crazy stories never came to an end. I tried so hard to overlook all of their flaws, but found it extremely hard.
I was raised in a very good family. I was taught never to look down on anyone or treat someone with less respect than they deserve. I tried to apply these values while meeting John's family...but I found it hard to respect people that didn't seem to have very much respect for themselves. What I find even more sad is, I hardly even know the family well enough to form an opinion of them. I've constantly been questioning my motives for my way of thinking...am I being too harsh? Too critical?
What is even more pitiful? My biological mother has been preparing for my visit for months, and has worked very hard to make sure that her house was spotlessly clean and in order. She even bought a new car the day before my arrival because she said, she "didn't want such a special girl to be riding around in a crappy car." As for John's family? They made no efforts to make me feel comfortable or at home at all.
It broke my heart to hear bad things about John's family. I waited eighteen years to meet them...eighteen years. I guess they couldn't comprehend that I don't care about their past..I only wanted to get to now them now, in the present. I waited my whole life to meet a family I had always dreamed about, only to be disappointed.
Another thing I've learned while being here? When you're searching for something or someone, make sure you prepare yourself for possibly being disappointed.
