My beloved husband, Brian Vayu Jameson, has a big 4-leafed clover on his upper arm, with the words GOOD LUCK tattooed below it. He's been lucky his whole life in multiple ways, most certainly with his gentle soul, his love of people and nature, and his rescue from an orphanage in Dublin at age three and a half.
We've been together nearly thirty years now, after meeting in Seeley Lake, MT in 1974. My 2-year old daughter and I needed a ride to California. He was going in the early spring in his VW bug. I still remember 8' berms going over the pass to Idaho! We went our separate ways after that, seeing each other only occasionally, but keeping track through the years. We reunited in 1988, and we've been holding hands ever since.
That daughter gave him an Ancestry.com gift for Christmas this last year, and boom! What a difference that has made! An Irish fellow made a respectful inquiry through Ancestry, suggesting he was looking for his half-brother. Brian responded about his origins, and Andrew gave us a few details we never knew about Brian's mother, who had been forced to adopt him out when two Americans came to the orphanage and chose Brian. These "enforced adoptions" were common at the orphanages in Ireland in those days. His birth mom returned home to Roscrea, and his birth father eventually had three children by another woman. The really lucky part is they are all excited to meet us.
Then there's the really, really lucky part! We're retired, on a very limited income. How would we get to Ireland? Brian often said, "Well, we'll just get our canoe and paddles and go across!" But the Universe said differently! With trepidation I made the plane reservations and reached out on Go Fund Me for support to pay the way. And glory! It did come rolling in. We are incredibly grateful to all those who donated to our trip which will take place in September. Cards, letters, and such loving support flowed to us, that Brian may meet his birth family without camping in a tent!!
