A messy and magical Christmas story

For nine Baker children, ages two to 13, 1962 began tragically and ended triumphantly. It’s no different than the first Christmas two thousand years ago.

Disaster occurred on January 12, a snowy Friday night. Although warm and safe in their home in Battle Lake, Minn., Walter and Regina, their mother and father went out drinking and driving. and is in life-threatening condition

It was a single car accident on a cold, lonely road. There were no witnesses. But we know her. Baker, who was driving, lost control of his pickup truck, and it rolled over, tossing them both. They suffocated in the snow.

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unintentionally Their nine children were then placed in foster care. which has many houses in the area Because of the noise, news and tragedies move quickly. The Baker Nine’s plight and woes have become a national concern.

‘Baker Nine’ in 1962, left to right: Loretta Baker, Susan Baker, Sally Jo Meyers, Jim Meyers, Jerald Baker, Jeffrey Baker, Teresa Baker, Karen Meyers, Timothy Baker, Pauline Baker, Monica Jo Baker, Philip Baker, arranged Posted by Jin, a new mother.

More than 1,300 miles away in Charlotte. North Carolina Don and Jean Meyers are reading about the terrible accident. It’s the one line in the story that grabs them and won’t let go:

“The children will not stay together,” one neighbor told reporters.

“Children need parents. And if these children were put together in this world They should be together,” a defiant Jean tells Don. “We want children. We need these kids.”

This is where the multi-layered story and unexpected twists begin to emerge.

With two biological daughters, the Meyers had previously adopted three boys as well. Two of them are twins. When one of his twin sons drowned, J. Paul Bryan of St. Gabriel’s Church in Charlotte reached out and offered help. Sometimes grief can open hearts that were previously closed. And that’s what happened. The Meyers family is grateful for the love and support. Made him convert to Roman Catholicism.

So, after seeing the story about the baker, Don Meyers called his parish priest, Bryan, who called Monsignor Michael J. Begley of Catholic Charities in Raleigh. The monk then called Catholic Charities in St. Cloud, Minn., which was handling the Baker case.

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“There is room in our homes and in our hearts,” Don Meyers said at the time. “God has blessed me with a lot of income. I can afford to take care of my children. It is a small return for the blessings bestowed upon us.”

Looking at children Infants are increasingly viewed as a precious gift. Modern culture, on the other hand, views infants as a burden to be avoided. This intolerance not only robs families of fun and fulfillment. But it also threatens our very existence. That’s because society dies when couples don’t marry and have children.

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is the most famous adoption of all time. And it’s a far cry from the pretty pictures painted on cards or sung in praise. (Istock)

The Baker Nine family arrived and met their new parents at Charlotte Airport on December 17, 1962. There were many smiles and hugs. Love is something new But it’s true. It would make a great Hallmark Christmas movie if the story ended. But that’s really the starting point.

Monica Harbs, who was just two years old when her parents died and three when she arrived at Meyers. Remember traveling by plane? “It was very exciting,” she told me. Monica and her husband, Ed, He currently runs Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck, on northern Long Island. She said the Meyers family “Run a strict ship with many rules. lots of structure”

The team of 13 siblings settled into a rhythm and routine that was familiar but not challenging. Their mother, a seamstress, stayed home to care for the children. They attend parochial schools. All was well until another tragedy struck in 1969 when their adoptive mother died of lupus.

“The family exploded,” Monica admits. “Our father remarried, there were other kids, there was favoritism. We all started drifting apart.” At age 14, Monica decided to move to New York to be with her sister, Pauline, and her new husband. Those were difficult years.

But only because she moved to New York did she meet her sweetheart Ed. It was Ed who led Monica to the Lord. Which leads her to other great things: They have four sons, four daughters and nine grandchildren.

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“For many years I had to forgive,” she shares. “But we all have to walk through forgiveness. Our family story is one of redemption. quite a mess But so is life.”

Last December 17th As every year, the original Bakers (two have since passed away) connected by phone or via group message to remember and commemorate that remarkable and important day in 1962. It’s no coincidence that it falls on Christmas.

That’s because Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is the most famous adoption of all time. And it’s a far cry from the pretty pictures painted on cards or sung in praise.

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It’s a headache. An unmarried mother, an adoptive father, a baby born in filth. Far from fame and fortune Enter a broken world with a king who feels threatened and wants his baby killed.

Christmas reminds us that life, like adoption, is unpredictable. Often chaotic, mysterious, but still beautiful. It shows us that one child (or 9 of them!) can change everything for the better. Not just one day, but every day and forever.

Click here to read more from Paul Batura.