Likenesses

Ten years ago, when Daniel first brought Genevieve home, I immediately saw a resemblance to my ex's niece, who was the daughter of one of Paul's brothers. The resemblance was uncanny and in subsequent photos, the two looked almost identical. When Genevieve met Paul's two sisters, who are quite different to look at, she exclaimed that she had two aunts back home in France who looked like these two sisters. Certainly, photos showed a similarity.

On Tuesday, Jason brought his girlfriend, Pat, home from the Gold Coast to meet us.

I was once again taken with the similarity to Paul's family. To me, Pat, looked just as I remembered Paul's elder sister,  the first time I met her.

Genevieve is from France, while Pat is from Australia, with Irish and English heritage. Both Paul and I have English, Irish, Scottish, French and English blood so I guess in both cases there could be a far away connection or a combination that produces similarities.

I was interested to watch a TV programme once that talked about a condition where people have difficulty recognizing faces. It said that this can be in varying degrees. I am sure I have a mild version of this. In my case, I have difficulty telling some people apart and see likenesses that others don't. When I first moved to the Hokianga, I used to confuse all sorts of people, thinking I was talking to one, when it was another. Then often they would whisper to me. "You know we are related  but nobody knows that. To me they were more than related, I would mistake them for the same person.

I find watching movies difficult sometimes too as I can't tell the difference between some cast members, not sure if it this one or that one, particularly if they are all blondes, for example.

Growing up on a farm, we were pretty isolated as children. My brother and I would hide under the bed if there were any visitors. Perhaps it is this lack of socialising as youngsters that has led to this condition.

But whether it is because of this that I see the likenesses in Daniel and Jason's partners, I am not sure. What I do know is that I am not alone in seeing these similarities. But perhaps they are exaggerated with me.

Whatever the reason, seeing a partner who looks like other members of the family certainly makes me feel that they belong and they are the right choices for my boys