I don't really know what to say, except tragic/amazing story and I hope the best for you.

This very thing happened to my friend. He just found out that he had a half sister after 30+ years. They haven't met yet as he found out earlier this year. He was raised as a single child his whole life. Strange how this world works sometimes. 

DNA tests have changed a lot of lives for the better or the worse. This year I submitted a DNA test to ancestry.com to find out my roots. Didn't realize that in addition, they show you (with amazing accuracy, I might add) who you are related to and what the relationship is out of their huge database. I had a 2nd cousin pop up that i didn't know.  She got in touch with me and, long story short, it turns out that she was the product of a relationship my uncle had while in Germany in 1955 (military). He came back  to the states that same year, met his future wife and ended up having  two daughters that he raised.  Just two weeks ago I had a very long conversation with my two cousins telling them they had a half sister they were unaware of.  I did a lot of research to prove it before telling them so they received it very very well. They will all be meeting in two weeks. Its all truly amazing. There is even a significant family resemblance.   

Wow, "talk about a wild curve ball" is right.  What an amazing story!  I can see why it's shaken you up.  There isn't much in this life that's more important than family, and learning huge things about your own family that you didn't know, like having a sister you never knew about, and how that will impact you and your mom, especially when you've had such painful losses in your family, I just can't imagine how that could turn your world upside down.

We're all different, our circumstances and experiences are different, and you seem very wise to me to take it easy, and allow yourself some time to process this, mull it all over, let things settle out in your mind and heart.  No need to try to force yourself to "do something" right away until you feel settled about what it is you want to do.

It sounds like this may turn out to be a wonderful thing, when the dust settles.

My heart goes out to you. And who knows, maybe this curve ball will be hit out of the park.

Not able to be with her original family, it was brave of your half-sister to search and then reach out. And it will take some bravery and an open mind for you to let her in, if you (plural) decide that's what you want. It's clear you have the heart to do that (the addition you built for your mother), despite your terrible losses. 

Your sister had a long time to decide this is what she wanted to do. You can take the time you need, too. And I hope your mother is okay. You didn't say if she knows. 

BTW, on behalf of anyone within reach of the nuclear plant, thank you for staying home. : ) I'm brand new here and apologize if it was out of line to jump in, but your story - and what others posted - moved me. 

Beth

Wow Mike I can imagine how news like that would put you back on your heels to say the least.  

I'm glad you're able to take some time to absorb the news and process things.  Best of luck working through this man.    

Great story.....I have to think one would benefit from discovering a family member and embrace them. I understand the shock of it...but hope you both are able to add meaning to each others lives.

I am a believer that everything happens for a reason, be it good or bad.  And good things happen to good people.  Although I only met you at the last brisket camp, it was obvious by interacting with you and reading your posts here that you are a good person.  Just by taking time to process this shows the kind of person you are. Good luck Mike. 

Hopefully she likes BBQ!!

HeavyG said:

Not directly germane to your situation but there was an interesting article in the Washington Post a few days back dealing with ancestry/relations/dna and talks about the experience of one family that learned how their family tree was different than what they had all thought it was. 

Might help you process your newfound revelations after reading about how some others dealt with theirs.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/lifestyle/she-thought-she-was-irish-until-a-dna-test-opened-a-100-year-old-mystery/?utm_term=.e09c70e64732

Thanks for posting the article--really fascinating!

Hey Mike, wow.  What a story. 
I commend you for sharing this here, and I also commend you for taking the necessary time to let this sink in and follow your gut/heart on this.  I know "family" is important, but I also think "family" is something that you can't choose, so it doesn't mean that just because you share a gene pool with someone that makes that person "family".  We can all probably share stories of dysfunction within our family unit, and I have plenty in mine, believe me.  In many cases, I choose to spend my free time, money, and emotional capital with people that mean the most to me and bring the strongest connection whether or not we share the same genetics.  Like I said, I have plenty of dysfunction.  It's definitely a Friday night forum topic.
I wish you luck with everything.  As @buffalomoose mentioned, you're a great guy (but still a Navy guy) even though we haven't spent more than a Brisket Camp meeting.  In many ways, there are no right or wrong answers here, but I do wish you the best and pray that whatever you decide, it doesn't weigh heavy on you once you take that first step whichever direction it is in.

Mike, follow your heart in this. If a relationship is meant to be, it will be. Don't pressure yourself to move too quickly. Best of luck.