Coincidence

Some number of years ago I had the privilege of meeting my birth-sister in person. We had written a couple of letters and talked on the phone, but this was to be our first face-to-face meeting. She and her family were travelling to our home for a weekend visit and I'll never forget how nervous I was waiting for them to arrive. "What if she doesn't like me?" was uppermost in my mind as the endless hours of waiting dragged on.

Eventually they arrived and our families got to know each other. I couldn't stop looking at her; we looked somewhat alike! Anyone who is adopted will know that this it is a huge thing to meet someone who looks like you do.

Later that night, after husbands and children had gone to bed, we stayed up all night long talking and learning about each other's lives. At that time in our lives, we were both living in different areas in British Columbia, Canada. We had both been born in the Saskatchewan prairie and so it was remarkable that we both ended up living so near to each other. The story doesn't stop there though.

As we began to share about our lives as children, we discovered that we had both lived in the same city at the same time for a few years! We had lived about four blocks apart and attended the same school at the same time!

Given that there are five years difference in our ages, we don't recall ever meeting each other, but I can't help wonder if we had an occasion to come across each other at some time, oblivious to the fact that we were sisters.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wonderful. This brought tears to my eyes. My older sisters and brother are from a different father and I never knew that until I was about 12 years old as my father adopted them when he married my mom. I do have an identical twin sister though.

I loved your story. The good Lord always waits for the perfect time to reveal what we are to know. Beautiful story.

M. Bail said...

I agree with Ang. The story brought tears to my eyes also. It's amazing the coincidences. A very touching story!

Pat's Place said...

What a wonderful story. I have a similar story about a half sister that I did not even know existed until about 10 years ago. We have become wonderful friends these past ten years.

Terri Tiffany said...

That is so amazing that you lived so very close to each other and never met! I love reading about this--you need to write a book!

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Thank you for sharing your life story. I cried tears of sadness for all you missed and tears of joy at your reunion!