Today my wife asked me to take a walk with her in the back roads of Green Valley, CA.   Just a peaceful two mile stroll to let off some stress and have some time alone together in the Country.  When we returned home, I went upstairs to my office to check my email.  When I opened up my Yahoo email, this is what I saw: 

Now at first glance, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but when I saw the name Rick Andersohn (spelled with an "H" )  I just about fell off my chair.  I couldn't open it quick enough!!  I have not seen or heard from my Brother in over 40 years!  He is the only other Andersohn from my real father!  The last I remember ever seeing him was when I was 5 or 6 years old!  Yes, that was over 40 years ago though I know many of you don't think I'm a day over 30!  LOL!~  

I started thinking to myself that this was WAY TO GOOD and Cool to be true, someone must be playing a joke on me.  I have searched the earth for my brother Rick for as long as I can remember.  I use to run his name on reunion.com, I tried to Google him as recently as Christmas this past year, I have never given up hope that one day I would find my brother Rick Andersohn.

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw his name in this email!  OMG!!  I still can't believe this is happening.  I feel like Oprah or Dr. Phil is going to be calling me any second now.  When I opened the email from (supposedly) my brother, this is what it read:

Now I'm freaking out!  I know this is him!  I can't believe it!  My brother found me on Active Rain after being separated for more than 40 years.  I emailed him back immediately and asked him where he was and how he was doing?  Are you ready for this?  He emails me back with his phone number and it's in the same area code as mine!  HOLY COWABUNGA!!  Now I am shaking all over including my hands which were having difficulty dialing his number quick enough! 

A continuing and unfolding story short...

Well, we just hung up the phone after talking for almost 2 hours.  OMG!!!! - I can't believe this!  I am going to go meet with him, my older brother who I didn't know was even still alive or where in the world he might be.  I'm finally going to see him!!  We have so much to talk about, so many things I want to share with him.  So many questions I need answered about my grandparents and my father.  I am still very much in shock that this is happening to me right now.  I have laughed and cried more today than anytime I can recently remember.

I have to say this, and I mean this so sincerely, if it weren't for Active Rain, this may have never happened.  I have looked high and low for my older brother for so many years and been unsuccessful every time.  To have him find and contact me through Active Rain is nothing short of a miracle in my opinion.  I am and will forever be grateful for this place, the experiences, and this day, which I will remember for the rest of my life!  I can't even begin to tell you how much this means to me and to the entire "Andersohn" family.  Our lives have been changed and the experiences we have had here are  unprecedented and priceless.  

This is a photo of me and my brother Rick Andersohn from the last time I remember seeing him!  I think the photo is from 1967 or 1968.  Thank God for Active Rain and for putting us back together after 40+ years!  Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!!  I can't wait to see my brother!!  I'm not gonna be able to sleep tonight, I just know it....

              

EDITED AND UPDATED:   MARCH 8th, 2008 - "THE UPDATE"

Well my brother and I have been keeping in contact now and emailing each other photos, we're trying to setup a time to meet.  He works crazy hours and weekends for his company.  I am already learning so much about him that I didn't know.  He works out, he's an important team member of his company, he works odd and crazy hours, and he's just as excited I think to see me.  He just sent me a photo of him and my dad long after I had lost touch with him.  I had never seen what my brother looked like until today.  We are going meet on April 20th, Saturday.  This is the first time he'll have available due to a hectic first quarter schedule. More to Follow:

                                              
                                                     My Dad and my Brother Rick Andersohn