Twenty Years Apart, One Message Brought Them Back Together.
In 2001, Holly Shearer was just a teenager when she gave birth to a baby boy. She named him Benjamin, but as much as she wanted to keep him, life left her with no choice. She was too young, unprepared, and she knew deep in her heart that she could not give him the life he deserved. With tears in her eyes and a love that was greater than her own comfort, Holly placed her baby for adoption. She let him go, hoping that somewhere out there, a family would raise him with love, and that one day, he might understand her sacrifice.
Benjamin Hulleberg grew up in a warm, supportive family. He always knew he was adopted, and his parents never hid the truth from him. They gave him all the love a child could need, yet as he grew older, a quiet longing began to form inside him. He wondered about the woman who had given him life. Who was she? What had happened to her? Did she ever think about him, even after all these years? Those questions became louder as he grew into adulthood, and more than once he tried to search for her. But each time, his efforts ended in silence. He carried on with life, still holding onto that emptiness that only she could fill.
Meanwhile, Holly carried her own silence. Not a day passed when she didn’t think of the boy she had let go of as a teenager. She often wondered what he looked like now, what kind of man he had become, whether he was safe, whether he was happy. The ache of that decision never truly faded, though she kept it tucked deep within her heart.
And then, after twenty years, fate intervened. One day, while searching online, Holly came across Benjamin’s Facebook page. Her heart raced as she looked at the photos, realizing this was him—her son, all grown up. She hesitated, not knowing if she should reach out. But then, with trembling hands, she typed a simple birthday message and pressed send.
Benjamin received the message and responded politely, not realizing who she was. But when Holly texted again and revealed the truth, his entire world shifted in an instant. He later described that moment as overwhelming: “This is the day I had been waiting for for the last 20 years of my life, and to imagine that it was finally happening was outrageous. It was a lot to take in.”
Neither of them wanted to wait another day. The very next morning, they arranged to meet in person. When Benjamin saw Holly for the first time, all the years of wondering and waiting disappeared in a rush of emotion. They sat together for hours, sharing stories, piecing together two decades of missed memories. Every detail mattered. Every laugh and tear was a step toward healing.
As if destiny had been quietly guiding them all along, they discovered something remarkable—they had both been working at the very same place: HCA Healthcare’s St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Holly worked in one department, while Benjamin worked in the NICU. For years, they had unknowingly crossed paths, living their lives just steps away from one another, unaware of the bond that connected them.
Benjamin could hardly believe it. “Being able to sit down with my biological mom and just have coffee and talk before I go on my shift at the NICU? It’s been amazing,” he said. What had once been a dream—meeting the woman who gave him life—had become part of his daily reality.
For Holly, the reunion was nothing short of a miracle. She had spent twenty years wondering, waiting, and hoping. Now, she didn’t have to wonder anymore. Her son was not only alive and thriving, but he was right there with her, ready to build a relationship she thought she might never have.
Their story is a testament to patience, hope, and the enduring power of love. Though separated by decades, though their lives had taken different paths, mother and son found their way back to each other. It is a reminder that love does not disappear. Sometimes, it simply waits—quietly, faithfully—until the moment when it can finally be embraced again.
With a career that enchanted audiences of all ages, she left an indelible mark on show business
Shari Lewis was more than just a performer—she was a pioneer who reshaped what children’s entertainment could be. Born Sonia Phyllis Hurwitz in New York City in 1933, she grew up in a family that valued creativity and learning. Her father, a magician and educator, encouraged her curiosity, while her mother nurtured her love for music and performance. By the time she was a teenager, Shari was already a gifted dancer, ventriloquist, and puppeteer—skills that would one day make her a household name.
Her rise to fame began in the 1950s, when she appeared on television with her puppet creations. But it wasn’t until 1957, on Captain Kangaroo and later The Shari Lewis Show
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Shari Lewis became a beloved presence in American homes. With her puppets—Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy, and Charlie Horse—she created a universe where humor and learning blended seamlessly. Her shows weren’t just about entertainment; they carried subtle lessons about kindness, patience, and curiosity. Children trusted her, not only because of the playful characters but also because of her warmth and sincerity.
Her work was groundbreaking at a time when television was still finding its way as an educational tool. Shari believed that children deserved programming that respected their intelligence, and she worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality. She wasn’t afraid to mix silliness with substance, proving that kids could laugh while also learning something valuable.
In addition to her television work, Shari Lewis was a skilled musician. She studied conducting and was a trained orchestral leader, occasionally stepping onto the podium to conduct symphonies. This musicality often found its way into her performances, where songs and rhythm became essential tools for engaging children. Her background in music gave her shows a richness that set them apart from other children’s programming of the era.
By the 1990s, Shari experienced a remarkable career resurgence with Lamb Chop’s Play-Along, which aired on PBS. The program introduced a new generation to Lamb Chop and her puppet friends. Its catchy closing song, “The Song That Doesn’t End,” became a cultural phenomenon, delighting children while playfully exasperating parents. The show earned her multiple Emmy Awards and reaffirmed her place as one of the most influential figures in children’s television.
Behind the scenes, Shari was known for her tireless work ethic and her passion for her craft. She wrote more than 60 children’s books, produced educational videos, and advocated for the importance of creativity in childhood development. She believed that puppetry, like any form of art, could open doors to imagination and problem-solving. For her, Lamb Chop and the other characters weren’t simply puppets—they were vehicles for empathy, humor, and connection.
Her personal life was deeply intertwined with her career. Married twice, she eventually found lasting love and partnership with her second husband, Jeremy Tarcher, a publisher. Together, they raised a daughter, Mallory, who later became an accomplished performer in her own right. Mallory carried on her mother’s legacy, keeping Lamb Chop alive for new audiences after Shari’s passing in 1998.
Shari Lewis’s death from uterine cancer at the age of 65 was a tremendous loss to generations who had grown up watching her. Yet her influence remains strong. Lamb Chop still appears at live events, schools, and even on social media, thanks to Mallory Lewis’s dedication. The character continues to embody the same sweetness and spark that Shari first imagined decades ago.
What made Shari Lewis remarkable wasn’t just her talent as a puppeteer or her skill as a performer—it was her belief in the value of children. At a time when many dismissed children’s television as frivolous, she insisted that kids deserved quality, creativity, and respect. That vision has inspired countless performers, educators, and creators in the decades since.
Today, when we look back on Shari Lewis’s career, we see more than nostalgia. We see a blueprint for how entertainment can nurture the mind and heart. We see a woman who carved out space in a male-dominated industry, using her imagination and charisma to create something truly timeless. And we see Lamb Chop, still smiling, still singing, still reminding us that even the simplest puppet can hold endless magic in the hands of someone who cares.
Shari Lewis once said, “Children should have a world of their own—a world of joy and laughter and questions.” Through her shows, her books, and her music, she gave them exactly that. Decades later, her legacy lives on in the laughter of children who meet Lamb Chop for the first time and in the fond memories of adults who grew up with her. She may have left the stage too soon, but her light continues to shine, proving that love, creativity, and kindness truly never end.
