A little background:

   I am an alcoholic. I am happy to say, a recovering alcoholic. I haven’t drank in many years, that’s not to say I am not screwed up, I have tons of issues. My father was an alcoholic. My parents divorced because of it, he was estranged from his family, including myself and my three siblings, because of it, and later died at 54 because of it. As you can imagine, all of that can screw up a person and a family pretty good. But this is a happy story, a story that begins with a trip to Prague.

   A few years ago Day and I decided to take a trip to Prague, Czech Republic. We made plans to get together with Jaroslav and Helena. I had met Jaroslav only once before, in the winter of 1978.

   Jaroslav was here in the States for work. He called my father to say he was his second cousin from Czechoslovakia, he was in New Jersey for work, and can he visit. In 1978, Czech Republic was part of Czechoslovakia and still a communist country, therefore the government did not allow Helena to leave Czechoslovakia with Jaroslav, for fear of defection. Anyhow, he made it to Massachusetts from Jersey, and met my family. I was eleven.

   Jaroslav and my mother stayed in touch by mail for forty years. My sister, years later found him on Facebook and became “friends.” A fews years ago, Day and I contacted him on Facebook to say we were coming to Prague, and would they like to get together. They said yes.

   Prague was beautiful, and Jaroslav and Helena were wonderful. They were kind and generous and welcomed us into their home, as if they had known us forever. We spent quite a bit of time together, sightseeing, eating (Helena is a great cook and loves to feed you) and we talked about family. He showed me pictures of my family I have never seen before, told me stories I have never heard before. I knew very little about my family, my family tree or family history.

   Grandparents I never met, divorces, family fueds, this half of the family not speaking to that half of the family, and losing touch with aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and even siblings. And before you know it, my family was Day. There was always my mother and sister on holidays and birthdays, but we had grown apart as well (the effects of alcoholism and generations of alcoholics).

   Jaroslav’s interest and love of family warmed my heart and inspired me, inspired me to reach out to my cousin on my father’s side, who I had not seen or spoke to in twenty years. We grew up together, played together, but after my parents divorce, the family fell apart and everyone, went their own way.

   I found my cousin’s daughter on Facebook, and through Messenger, we chatted and exchanged pictures the entire week I was in Prague. And when we got home, we reconnected. I saw my cousin and his wife again, after more than 20 years. I met his two wonderful girls, who I had never met before. I saw my aunt and uncle again, and they all met my wife. Better than all this, my aunt and uncle who are now in their 70’s were reunited with us. My mom and my aunt, who were once the best of friends, are once again spending time together, going to the casino with the senior citizens club, going to lunches and on walks together. My sister and my cousin seem to love each other, harassing each other, like when we were kids. My wife knew little about my childhood, my family, my father, or my drinking. She’s learning it all now, the wonderful, and horrible stories. She knows me better now, and we are closer. The story doesn’t end here though, it gets better.

   The following year, mom and I decided to go to Prague, and visit Jaroslav and Helena. My mom and Jaroslav who only met once and stayed in touch though email, would once again see each other after more than 40 years.

   Jaroslav met us at the airport with a bouquet of roses for my mom, they embraced, and I, fought back the tears. I stuffed those emotions way down, choking on them, years to come I am sure that will manifest into a heart attack or stroke, but that’s what real men do. Me, my mom, Jaroslav and Helena had a wonderful week. Well into their 70’s, I am sure the three of them thought this would be the last time they would see each other, and I am sure this reunion meant the world to them. But now, Prague is special to me, it’s beautiful, it feels a little bit like home, I have family there, and a friend, who I will discuss in a bit. This, would not be our last trip to Prague.

   We travel with our friends, K and J every year. One year they pick where we go, the following year, Day and I pick. Last year we decided on a Prague/Budapest trip. I was excited. Day and I would get to see Jaroslav and Helena again, I would get to introduce K and J to the beautiful city of Prague, Jaroslav and Helena (who welcomed K and J with open arms) and my friend Jan.

   Our first trip to Prague, Day and I booked a food tour with Eating Europe, Jaroslav and Helena joined us, and Jan was our guide. We always book food tours wherever we go, and we love them. Walk around the city, learn some history, and sample local cuisine, they’re fantastic, and Jan was one of the best guides. We did another with Jan when I went back with mom, and Jaroslav and Helena joined us again. Jan and I continued to stay in touch through Facebook. And now, we would meet again, and I would get to introduce him to our wonderful friends, K and J. The world is slowly becoming a smaller place.  

   I now have family in Prague, and maybe a friend. I realize we’ve only met three times, chatted on Facebook, read and have “liked” each other’s post, but I like Jan. I know if we were not separated by an ocean, Day and I would be friends with him. Jan and his family would be at our table for “Friends Thanksgiving,” along with our other friends, who would like him as much as Day and I do.

   Prague is more than a destination, more than a beautiful city. Prague is meeting family, reunions, making friends and new friends meeting old friends. Man I love Prague, and, we going back!

   This coming April, Day and I are going back to Prague, with my mom and our friend Sue. So mom will once again see Jaroslav and Helena, my wife will spend time with my mom, and their relationship will be better for it. Sue will meet family, family will meet friends, and all, will see Jan again! And I will be a happy man. Jaroslav and Prague have reunited a family and made the world a smaller place.

“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again- to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more.”

 – Pico  Lyer

   I am excited for our trip to Prague, there’s even talk of another, this time with our friends Steve and Anna. I do love Prague, and I will drag my wife’s ass there as often as I can. 

Luv ya,

Curly