Siblings!

August 4th, 2018| Topic: RaMbLeS | 0

Last year, new neighbors moved in next door to Hillary Harris, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Complete strangers.

Ms. Harris was adopted by a loving couple when she was just a month old. She always wondered about her biological family.

I always wanted to find them. It was always in the back of my mind and I knew that eventually I would search when I was ready.”

She was ready a few years ago, when she and Lance, her husband, were expecting their first child. Hillary decided to locate her adoption records to be more informed about her biological family’s medical history. She got those records.

That had all my health history, it had a letter from my birth mother. … It also disclosed that my birth father Wayne had passed away in 2010. And then it had two half-sisters, Renee and Dawn… and then right here it says Dawn Johnson of Greenwood.”

She found some of the other relatives, but not Dawn. Until the new neighbors moved in.

[Lance] comes in and is like, ‘Yeah, I met the neighbor. Her name’s Dawn.’
‘Dawn from Greenwood?’ I asked.
Lance is like, ‘Yeah.’
I’m like, ‘You don’t get it?’
He’s like, ‘What are you talking about?’
And I pulled out all my adoption paperwork. And I said, ‘Dawn. Greenwood. Sister, you know?’
And he’s like, ‘Oh my gosh!’”

Somewhat apprehensive about inquiring about Dawn’s last name, Hillary kept mum.

Two months later, she was looking out her window when she saw a large order of shingles delivered next door. The bright red tarp that covered the shingles had the name in large letters: Johnson.

I screamed and jumped all over the house, then called Lance and said, ‘Her name is Dawn Johnson! It has to be her!’”

Harris texted her new neighbor asking about her birth father.

Recalled Dawn Johnson:

And I said, ‘Wayne Clouse.’
And then she says, texts back, ‘Oh wow, we have a lot to talk about. Can I call you?’
And I said, ‘Yes!’”

Said Harris:

I started hollering and freaking out, then I called her immediately. We were on the phone for hours that night, crying and talking. Neither of us could believe it.”

Dawn Johnson and Hillary Harris were sisters. 19 years and 3 days apart.

Added Hillary:

That moment when I first embraced her in the driveway … I mean, it was amazing. It was a miracle. I never knew I even wanted a sister. And I am so happy and so thankful to have her.”

What are the odds? Dawn moves 60+ miles from Greenwood to Eau Claire and looks at over twenty homes before putting in an offer on the one next to Hillary’s.

The amazing discovery almost didn’t happen. Ms. Johnson confessed that the closing on their new house was postponed three times, and that they had almost walked away in frustration.

But, she said:

There was something about the house that drew me back to it.”

Yup. A long-lost sister!

Concludes Hillary:

We’re pretty much inseparable now and we know this was meant to be. Now I tell people who are adopted and searching for parents or siblings to walk over to the house next door and ring the doorbell. You just might be amazed at what you find.”

You just might!

Be devoted to one another in brotherly [and sisterly] love.
Romans 12:10

Let love of the brothers [and sisters] continue.
Hebrews 13:1

Honor all people, love the brotherhood [and sisterhood].
1 Peter 2:17

We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers [and sisters].
1 John 3:14