Hi Hollowers!
With so much bad news constantly in the press and on the TV it feels like light relief to be able to share a happy story; even better is it’s my own happy ending. Last year I shared the story of how I had found out my Grandfather had passed away. My family is very estranged for each other but he had played a huge part in my life and in shaping who I am; the name Hedgehog Hollow comes from memories with him. Whilst the news was heartbreaking and I think of him every single day, the story has a very happy ending. I will refresh the beginning if you didn’t see it before.
Last year I put up a video about heat embossing and I was using my Wagner heat tool; a comment was left by a lady asking if she could buy it in England or if not what a good alternative would be. I noticed her name ‘Sally Stapleton’. Stapleton is not the most common name and I knew I had an Aunt Sally although I had never really met her and din’t know much. I responded to her question, trying to put it to the back of mind; but it kept eating at me. I had to ask, so I mentioned her surname and asked where she lived. Colchester came the reply. Low and behold it was my Aunt! She had married my Mum’s brother and so we started talking; family politics is always so hard and I think we were both dubious in case it upset someone else; but we emailed back and forth.
It turned out she had no idea she had been watching my channel at all, she didn’t know my surname and hadn’t the slightest inkling who I was. It turned out we had crossed paths so many times and didn’t realize, not only had she watched my videos for a while but she also frequented the same craft stores in England; I had twice lived feet away.
We started chatting more and more, we also had a joint love of card making so we had so much to talk about. I have learnt about my cousins and that our girls have cousins too. I have found out so much about my background and where I come from. It has been such a comfort to know I have family out there who will always be there and are always there to let steam off too. I am so thankful for having Hedgehog Hollow to bring us together.
When I was in England we got to catch up for lunch, although it was a fleeting visit I cannot describe the emotions; my stomach had knots, what if she didn’t like me, what if she thinks i’m batty?! It was a lovely lunch, Greg was there too. We had so much to talk about and time flew. We had an amazing time and I hope she can visit us in Ohio soon. I bought a goodie bag of supplies in my suitcase we chatted about all the things we had in common, her craft room. She also shared that she had taken a rose to my Grandfathers grave, something that really touched my heart. I did visit his grave as well and left a hydrangea, I always remember the bushes he had outside the house and how we added to the soil every year so they flowered differently depending on the Ph of the soil..a mind a useless information.
It really has been a happy ending on this one. I love that our passion for crafting brought us together and that the world had a greater plan to get us in touch through my videos. Hedgehog Hollow has brought our family so many blessings including each and every one of you who so often email, mail cards or drop me a message to let me know what you enjoyed, that we brightened a moment of your day or that you enjoyed your monthly box. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for extending your friendship and love to the Hollow.
I look forward to the girls meeting their Great Aunt and seeing her again soon. I hope this story has given you a smile.
Your story touched my heart in so many ways. If I were only blessed as you are. Maybe in another life.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Stop making me cry! Seriously! I’m so glad to hear this happy news. There’s just something in our nature that desires to stay connected to our heritage. Yay for you!
I am so glad that you have a new found relationship with your aunt. It will be wonderful for your daughters to hear stories about the family. Your mutual love of card making is a bonus!
Thank you for sharing that news with us. It’s great that you found a special someone in your family that you didn’t know you had.
Most wonderful story ever! So glad you found her! Thanks for sharing!
That is so wonderful to know you have more family members to share your life with. God blesses in so many different ways and you reached out for his blessing. Family is so important and I’m happy for you!
thanks for sharing… what a wonderful story!!!
Family is so important and it is so sad when they get pulled apart. I am so glad you were able to get reunited with part of your family.
I’m so glad for you and your aunt Thank you for sharing your story with us . It is truly a blessing how God brought you two together . May God continue to bless you and your family.
Barb.
LOVE happy endings. It is great that you were able to reconnect with your aunt and learn more about your family. It is so cool that you were able to meet face to face. Some people take it for granted that their family will always be around. Tomorrow is never promised to anybody. Over the past 5 years, separately, I lost my brother and then my sister. Miss them terribly. So BLESSED my parents are in my life. Not sure what I would do without them.
How wonderful for you both. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome story and wonderful ending! Very glad you took that little step and asked where she was from. We all have family upsets…..but I am so happy you were able to re-connect with someone from your family and share many memories to come.
Oh Alexandra, I am so happy for you that you actually got to see your Aunt. I am sorry it couldn’t have been a long visit, but any visit was better than none. It is very strange how things do work out sometimes. Thank goodness you now have a connection in your family and of your Grandfather. Sending blessings and hugs to you and your family. ❤
Thank you for sharing such a heart happy life experience. Hugs to you and all your family.
What a wonderful story and an awesome outcome for you and your family.
We have had a lot of sadness in our family over the last few years, losing loved
ones, suddenly it hits you just how important family is .I am lucky to have an
awesome family I am very blessed.
Enjoy making new memories with your Aunt and family.
This is so awesome, I had a brother that was adopted at his birth. Neither of us knew about each other until 1991. He found out he was adopted and I found out his existance a couple months apart. Mom passed away in 2000, and December 2012 I found my brother on Facebook. May 12, 2014 he accepted my friend request and read my message that went to that pesky “other folder” in messenger. May 12 was our mother’s birthday. We talked the next day for over 6 hours, I told him about the family and sent him photos via facebook. We finally got to meet in person October 2016, and that was amazing.
So glad you found your family, it is a great thing to do.
Now isn’t that something ? I’m so very happy you’ve gotten to meet her.
I so enjoyed your story. We have so many factions in my family as well. I am glad you trusted your intuition and reached out to your aunt. A heartwarming story.
Oh this story warms my heart for sure. This passion we have for crafting has the power to change friendships…families…and the world. It brings people together!! I am so very pleased that this chapter has a happy ending. And where this part ends, another begins. I love it!! Craft on sister, craft on.
Wow! Small world after all. Such a Blessings, wish you and your family more blessings. Thanks for sharing.
I am so happy for you! I had read your story with interest last year because my family is estranged also.. i’m glad you and your aunt can have a good relationship.
You are so right about the world filled with sadness and terrible news. How refreshing to read a happy ending story. May God vless you, your family and extended family.
What a beautiful story Alexandra! I’m so glad you found more family! It’s so important to who we are.
What a wonderful ending to your story. It’s neat that Aunt Sally likes card making and you have been near to her several times.
That is a beautiful story, with a perfectly happy ending. We never know who we will meet or the relationships we will build. And how wonderful it happened because of the Hollow. I hope your Aunt can visit you here too, and that your relationship can maybe help mend some family woes. 🙂
I believe this is a Happy beginning! I Love this story!
What a happening to a sad story, so glad you could reconnect to family. Thanks for sharing your heart with us.
That was an absolutely wonderful story. I have cousins and aunts and uncles I have never met. . I’m so happy things are working out for you.
Fondly
Jane McGinty
What a touching story and a great new beginning for you and your family.
What an awesome story!! So glad you were able to meet your Aunt. I can understand your situation as my is somewhat like yours. My dad was not a part of my life and did not know my uncles and aunts and cousins from my dad’s side. When I was an adult I did get to be some of my aunt’s and uncle’s and a few cousion’s.:)
What a wonderful and special story. So very happy that you have reconnected with family! You are just so very blessed . Your kind personality, love of crafting and hard work has really paid off!!!
beautiful! So happy for you
Hello, was catching up on emails and read your post. So very happy for you!! I hope it is a start to a wonderful relationship. I think I only started folliwing your blog last year and we have exchaged a few messages via FB. I was surprised to know that you are actually local and not across the ocean. Not sure how long I can keep my box subscription but so far enjoying!