a_natural_beauty

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/24/nx-s1-5338622/23andme-bankruptcy-genetic-data-privacy

So sadly not too long ago tonight I learned of 23&me filing for bankruptcy. I love this site, it's been my "go to" for finding out more about myself as well as for my mom and dad. It wasn't too long ago I wrote about my results from this site and the other I use - ancestry.com. But 23&me was my favorite, I feel like it was easy to understand, modern and educational. I found a distant cousin who lives in England who we are friends and talk on FB. Other family members use this site, too.
Now I'm not sure what I should do... should I wipe my genetic data from the site? How risky is it if it's still on there... who may come of it? I feel like there are more important questions to be asked and sorted out. I'm going to give it some time and think it over but I thought I'd see if any of you have any thoughts on this matter. I'd appreciate any advice. This bums me out quite a bit.

I am grateful for the internet. This may sound like a silly one - but hear me out - without the internet I wouldn't be where I am I think... Basically my whole life I've made some good (sometimes good at the time but later changed) friendships and relationships because of social networking or online dating. And I'm not sure your beliefs but I believe in the butterfly effect to some extent. One thing can lead to another and to another. So one relationship or friendship can lead to another and then another.
Like yesterday, for example. I got to finally meet some of my Slaby relatives! Mike was with me and we had breakfast at a restaurant. It was such a special experience. They had family albums and we talked about so much in just a few hours. I look forward to meeting with them again. But if it wasn't for that similar minded political group on FB and me writing a post to reach out to people who may need a friend or someone to talk to and that my one relative noticed it and recognized my name - there's a large change I wouldn't have gotten in touch with them!
My current boyfriend, also! We met years ago on Okcupid. When we were both in our early 30's. Met, dated, things didn't work out. But with being online and staying in touch then deciding to date again - it'll be going on three years this March - it's been a happy and special new chapter in my life.
And here I am again connecting with others, sharing my comic, writing my personal thoughts on this lovely site. All of it makes me happy. There are some people I cannot connect with in real life, so it's nice having my online friends as someone I can turn to. I do as much as I can and want to on the internet. And that really makes a difference at the end of the day.

Last week due to the events as they played out I made a post on a FB group that if anyone needed a friend or someone to talk to they can message or add me. Since we are being supportive of each other in these unknown times it felt like the right thing to do - both for me and others who may need someone. I got some messages and friend requests but then on Sunday mid-morning when I logged on I got a message from a lady with the same last name as mine. She told me she was from nearby and was asking me who I was. I answered and in a strange and wonderful turn of events we realized we are relatives! She's from my dad's side of the family - her husband is one of my cousins. My dad lost touch of most of his side years ago. I've been trying to find out more about his side of the family (mainly his mother's since we don't have anyone else now since his mother passed away when I was a little girl) but his side has been sort of a mystery, too! Well I knew about them through photos and stories but that isn't the same as actually knowing them! Just a few days later after we've been talking she asked if we'd like to go out to lunch this weekend. I'm able to do a breakfast time since I have plans that evening so that's what we planned on. It'll be a public place, in the middle of where we both live. Luckily Mike is able to go but my parents are not this time around. But this spring we are planning on having a family reunion. This has been some nice and refreshing news I wanted to share with you all.