What an incredible few days on the blog. Over 900 hits, seven new subscribers, and so many NEW folks joining in on the conversation–which is brave and so appreciated. Three people have started discussions with me about guest posts for the coming months, and suggestions for future “vignettes” have been emailed, tweeted, and one person even called! Keeping my eye out for a carrier pigeon.

In addition I’ve already raised $65.00 of my $1000.00 fundraising goal to help pay for airfare, hotel, and rental car for our trip to the West Coast late August  to visit Sam’s first mom, Tea, and her extended family. I’ll be writing about the event as we prep, as we talk about it, as we process as a family and as it happens. If you feel like you or someone you are connected to might really gain something from being part of this reunion story, would you consider supporting the efforts with a small donation?

Any amount over $10.00 receives a page of the most original and handsome stickers ever. Like public radio this blog is ad free! A $5.00 donation will help fill the gas tank, a $35.00 donation will take us out to our first lunch with her, and for $140.00 you get the satisfaction of knowing you paid for us to stay a few blocks from Tea and her family for our first reunion in over six years for one night. (Hey it can’t hurt to ask right?) I promise not to ask again for a few weeks! 

(Spare readers 80’s commercial sound track here) But that’s not all! I’m also committing to providing you with a series of thought provoking, possibly thought shifting vignettes on race, ethnicity and place that over 900 people visited in the last three days! If everyone who clicked a page here yesterday contributed just $1.05 , I’d already have reached my goal! That feels so attainable! A very special thanks to the donor who contributed $25.00 yesterday and left this message; I learn so much from your writing – it’s only fair. That comment went far beyond the contribution she left in terms of validation. And I mailed her sheet of collector’s item Marcel swag the very same day!

And if you’re not able to contribute now, please send thoughts of ease our way, as we open our hearts and deepen our understanding and connection to our family this summer. Thank you for that.

And if you love the picture above, and want to see others by this stunning photographer–who also happens to be the amazing Mama of Marcel’s best friend please visit her website here: http://www.littlelight.smugmug.com