When my brother and I were children growing up in Washington DC, our grandparents, 4 aunts, 2 uncles and 10 first cousins, all lived at least 500 miles away and we saw them only rarely. Since taking up genealogy, I've discovered a few thousand relatives I never knew about before.
I'm descended from five generations of Tennesseans on my father's side and four generations of Minnesota-Wisconsin pioneers on my mother's side. Served 14 years active duty as US Army officer with tours in Germany; France; Ft. Sam Houston, TX; Vietnam; Presidio of San Francisco, CA; Seoul, Korea; and Ft. Campbell, KY. Then as a civilian, worked 24 years at the national laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN. Now, enjoying retired life in Roane County, TN.