I thought to look today for fitting material for blogging ... something festive, but meaningful; heartfelt, but light.

Christmas Eve is special in my history, and the occasion deserves a special story.

Ask, and receive! (How lucky am I?)

I've been side-swiped this morning by a story that has bells ringing a number of different tunes.

First, it comes from my oldest son's second home town, Baker City, Oregon ... a tiny place not far from the Idaho border where the weather is rough and it's a long way to anywhere. (My bio kids' dad lives very near there, in the bustling hamlet (not) of North Powder, and my big boy spent some time in that neck of the woods ... and I do mean 'woods' ... being parented paternally.)

Second, it's a Christmas story ...

and a birthday story.

Third, it's about international adoption ...

and reunion.

An amazing tale of twists,turns and providence that brought tears to my eyes right alongside the gasps of wonder at the way the universe sometimes works, leads to the 12th of December, the birthday of 57-year-old Paul Yackey, who on that day received an e-mail from his half-sister, Marie. Until just days before, he had no idea that she and five other sibs existed.

Paul was born in Germany and adopted at the age of two by an American couple. It was 1952 and the adoption cost $400. Paul grew up knowing he was adopted, but didn't think about searching until he had children. Eventually, it was his son who prompted the series of events that resulted in the connecting.

His bio family lives just up the road a piece in Ontario,Canada (okay, quite a way up the road, but close by global measures and next door if you think about how far these folks could have ended up from each other), as his Yugoslavian-born birth mom moved that way shortly after she had him. She is no longer living, but Marie and her brothers and sisters certainly are.

So far, they've not met in person, but a face-to-face reunion is planned for the near future.

Reading the story is goose bump territory, and as a Christmas story it's wonderful.

What a great gift!

And since it is Christmas Eve ...

Please join me in a wish for Peace on Earth and goodwill to all!