August 13, 2013: 9:00pm: Listening to "Hymn for the Missing", by "Red"

As I sit here listening to one of my favorite songs by Red, I think of my family. My Justine is gone and buried a long time now. So many family members have died while I have been in here. And I wanted to use this blog as a way of staying connected to the outside world. From meeting new people, to informing people of what happens in here, to sometimes just asking for help. So what I have decided to do is put it out there and see if anyone is able to help me. My family is missing and I would love to find them. My biological father was named Robert Joseph Costanzo. He was killed by police on March 31, 1989. I never knew him. But at the time of his death, he had a wife, Sandra Costanzo and they had 2 daughters together, ages 5 & 2. That was 1989, so the girls would be about 29 & 26 now. I would like to find the 2 half sisters I have never met. I wrote to the lawyer who represented Sandra and he (Mark S. Greenberg) wrote me back and said he would try to locate her but I never heard anything else. There is no way for me to locate my half sisters, I do not have internet access and even if I did, I wouldn't know how to begin. I don't have money to hire anyone either. So I put this out there to anyone reading, if you can help at all, I'd appreciate it. I am going to die in here one day but I would like to know the rest of my family as well. My father was a very selfish man. He wanted nothing to do with me so I was never even aware of his other children until I read the article of his death. My brother checked the Philly Daily News obituary section but they want money to give me my father's obituary. I thought with an obit I could find out my half sisters' names and see if they were on Facebook. I could also learn where my biological father is buried. I wrote to the Daily News newspaper and asked for a photocopy but they insisted that they must charge me. My bio-father had 3 children. The 2 girls and my half brother Robert Sliney, who I lost touch with in 2001 when he lived with his mom Mary, in Johnstown, PA. I'm sure Sandra Costanzo and my 2 half sisters still reside in Philadelphia but where, I have no clue. So if anyone can help bring us together, I would really be grateful. I've lost so many family members and it would be nice to get a few back. My aunt Diane will be 49 on August 18, happy birthday, Di. She was born on my grandpop's birthday so she was his present. You couldn't ask for a better gift. And she is the baby of the family. But my grandparents are gone now. Someone recently said this, "To live in the hearts of those we love is to never die." I can't remember exactly what it was from but maybe a movie or TV show. But I wrote it down because I try to make myself remember the ones I have lost every day. And though they are gone, it makes me feel better inside remembering them, and the special memories I have with them. I have it tattooed on my right forearm, famiglia (family). I don't want to forget them. So when you find the time in your day, just remember the family who is no longer here. Pass along stories, memories. Help keep their memory alive. When I get the chance to talk to my daughter, I am going to tell her all about the great grandmother she never got to know. My gram. She is missed every single day. I can't wait to tell her, I want her to know what good people she had, and still do have in our family. My family might be missing from me right now, but one day, I pray they can be found and we can start getting to know each other. Those girls might not even know they have 2 half brothers. My family is very important to me. Even the ones who have forgotten me, they're all important. I wish I would showed them more love and appreciation when I was home. Go do something nice for your loved ones. A hug, a kind word, a thank you, a surprise, they will remember it, and so will you. Take care, stay safe in this cruel world and God bless. I hope someone can help me. My address is on my profile page so I hope someone can get in touch. Ciao.