Some BookCrossers go way beyond the Call of Duty. Ottawabill is one of those BookCrossers, and if there were a "BookCrosser of the Year" award, I'd nominate him.

Why? I'll tell you why: My mom turned 65 this week. In working on her gift, I posted a message in the Chit-Chat forum six months ago, asking for help to find some of her old friends. Mom lived in Canada when she was young, and the amazing ottawabill (from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) replied to my post. He even went to all the places in Ottawa my mom told me about and took pictures of them!

I was trying to track down one of Mom’s friends -- someone she met in Ottawa and we thought was in Holland now. They lost contact 45 years ago. Much to my surprise, I found out that this friend was still in Canada! Ottawabill got in contact with her and went over to her house to take some pictures of her. Last Saturday we had a big party for Mom and I made a book with all the pictures ottawabill sent me. Mom recognized the places right away! Looking at her friend's picture, 45 years later, she knew it was her friend. She was so happy to see her. The biggest surprise was that this friend phoned her on Tuesday -- her actual birthday.

None of these surprises would have happened without ottawabill or BookCrossing. To top things off, he also sent a parcel for Mom with some presents and a book about Ottawa.
And I forgot to tell you we are in Amsterdam, Holland.

I didn’t know there where still people like this in the world, but there are. And they joined BookCrossing! What a great community! So that is why I wish him wings for a lifetime (or a year, or a month). Unfortunately, I don’t have a credit card, but I wanted say a BIG public thank you to ottawabill from me and my mom.

Ottawabill, you’re the best!