As many of you know Keith came into my life in the week of his first birthday.  I remember the time well and bought him his first football.

 

His biological father had died in a car accident before he was born and I adopted Keith when Hilary and I married in October 1974.

 

After we came to Perth Hilary maintained contact with Keith’s East London family and then communications slowed and then stopped.  For many years now Keith has longed to know more about his South African ancestry.  It has been a huge gap in his life.

 

While researching for the Heritage Tale books last year I also did some very basic research into the du Preez family of East London, but alas with little information to go with I had no success.

 

Until……

 

last Saturday afternoon, June 7, at about the time that Sue and I were boarding our plane at Christchurch a lady in Auckland did a google search of a Keith du Preez and up popped a message that I had left on the cousinsconnect website last December.

 

The lady was none other than one of Keith’s cousins.  Late on Saturday night just before going to bed I thought I would quickly check our email and there was her message.  I was amazed, staggered….and then without sleep.  Wow…what a breakthrough.

 

I contacted Cheryl over the next day or so and on Monday afternoon we chatted for an hour or so.  Cheryl told me that members of the family had also been wanting to contact Keith for many years but also had nothing to go on.  Wow!!

 

All in a sudden Keith had an uncle, four aunties, at least 20 cousins, and what really blew me away was to find out he has a half sister and a half brother living in South Africa.  Wow….

 

Keith was busy with a Uni exam on Monday and had an assignment due so it was only Wednesday morning that I managed to get him to call me.  Three days of having this amazing news and not being able to share it was taking its toll on me.

 

On Wednesday we visited Keith at his home and told him the news.  As you would expect he was stunned, speechless, incredulous.  I was an emotional mess, everyone was crying.  It was a unique and joyous moment.  It certainly touched my soul.

 

On Wednesday evening we told Jason, Jenny and Sandy the news and they were also blown away and excited by the news.

 

I am so thrilled and excited for Keith and the du Preez family and have told them that this is all about them now.  I know that they will keep us in the loop and I know that as soon as Keith has finished his assignment next week and has come down from the clouds the contacts will begin.

 

In the meantime we are sharing this amazing news with other family and friends……it is a time in our family and also the du Preez family that is as unique as it is exciting.

 

I have been very lucky to have Keith not only as a son but as a special member of our family for nearly 35 years and now it is time for us to share him with others.

 

I have had a number of email exchanges with family members over the week since they contacted me and they are delighted to have found a long lost half brother, nephew and cousin.  They are obviously lovely, caring people.

 

Keith and the du Preez family have earned every bit of happiness that they are now going to enjoy.

 

What a birthday present for Keith.  He is 35 today, Sunday, June 15. 

 

Happy birthday Keith