I am leaving the evening of Aug. 7, 2008, and will be arrive in Bucharest the afternoon of the 8th. They are 8 hours ahead of me.

I will be visiting a church where my great-great-grandparents were wed, and where my grandparents renewed their vows. We will be holding a parastas here in honor of my grandfather and other relatives who have died.

I hope my grandma can handle the trip. I imagine the flight and walking will be difficult for her, as she just turned 77.

I’m planning to make a grave rubbing of the marker for my great-great-great grandfather.

I’m incredibly lucky to have family that is aware of our roots. I would not know how to look this stuff up or find it on my own. I have no idea how to trace my mom’s side of the family or how they even got here.