Life can be full of surprises, especially when it comes to encounters with someone unexpectedly.
You didn’t plan it, but it just happened. I hadn’t given much thought about it until now and notice the encounters a little more. I guess there is something to say about gaining wisdom with age. Is it a coincidence, twist of fate, destiny, a purpose, or a higher power? Either way, my perspective and life is changed – maybe for them too?
I don’t go looking for special encounters, they seem to come about all on their own and are not always the same. In my earlier years, I was quiet and shy. I certainly didn’t engage in conversations with people I didn’t know. I would only talk at home. My introverted nature caused me to be held back from first grade. Needless to say, I overcame my shyness.
Helping Hand
One summer, our family went up north to a resort. I was about six years old at the time. The resort had a big swimming pool. My older sister was with mom on the deep end of the pool and dad was watching my younger brother in a small one. I was on the shallow end of the big pool and decided to go to the deep end, but I didn’t tell anybody. I slipped crossing over, not realizing the pool floor slanted. I went under and came back up. A young girl was walking by and saw me. She could tell I was in trouble and reached her hand out to me. I missed it and went under. I came back up and she was still there and tried again to help me. I went back under.
Mom happened to turn around and saw the frantic splashing and a young girl reaching her hand out. She told my sister, “That kid is in trouble,” and went swimming across, only to find it was me. I think back to that moment and remember the girl that tried to help. I didn’t know her and we didn’t get to talk, but that unspoken encounter saved my life.
I hadn’t thought about it that way before, but I do now. A lesson, with the help of a higher power.
Great Scott
It was December 21, 1984. I was planning on staying in that night, but I got talked into going out with my friends and brother. We went to the old Monte Club in Monticello to hear this band called, The Jets. Unbeknown to me, I would meet my spouse that night. We danced a few times and he (Scott) took my number and called me the next day.
We ended up going out the following week and have been together ever since. The funny thing is, Scott told me, he wasn’t planning on going out that night either but a friend talked him into it. Those friends must have known something we didn’t.
Destiny working undercover.
Great Home,
Great Friends
Twenty-seven years ago this October, we moved into our house in Big Lake. We had looked at another house months before finding this one. It was a nice house right across from Lake Mitchell.
The price was right and the seller was motivated. At the time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to live in Big Lake.
By the time we came back, the house was being sold by a realty company and was out of our price range. We started looking around Big Lake more and found the house we are currently in. Little did we know, this neighborhood would hold some of the best people we would ever meet. People who were more like family and we gained lifelong friends. Some of the original neighbors are no longer here and some have moved away, but the memories of them and the goodness still lingers. A purpose and higher power – a combined effort.
Neighbor John
A few years back, I was out looking for our dog, “Josie” who had run off. I was walking up and down the streets. All of a sudden, I spotted her. I went walking through part of this yard to get her. Outside was a gentlemen that lived there, “John.” He started talking to me about Josie, which led him to talk about the dogs he had. From there, he went on to talk about his wife, who he was taking care of, how long they had lived in that house, his time in WWII and his passion to collect western saddles and more. An hour and a half later, I left with an invite to come back and meet his wife and look at the saddles. I had a new friend and hopefully he felt the same way. I guess our dog running off was not such a bad thing after all. A twist of fate that turned into a purpose or did “Josie” know something?
Good Morning
This past August we headed to Great Falls, Montana for a wedding. We decided to stop for breakfast in Jordan, Montana, (population 389). The Summit Coral had the mom and pop’s cafe feel.
We were the only ones in there besides two locals. We ordered and Scott went outside. I looked over at the table and saw the one local sitting there having coffee. I said “Good Morning.” He looked at me and smiled and said “ Good Morning.” We started talking about the weather, always a good conversation starter. He (Frank) was telling me about all the grasshoppers that were getting into their crops. I don’t why but I thought about the story of locusts in the bible. I told Frank that and he replied “Yes,” and recited a verse. “I have been studying the bible for 50 years,” he said. I asked him, “So you were only 10 when you started?” He laughed and said, “I’m 88.” We talked about the world and people.
His friend Skip (closer to our age) came back in and so did Scott. We learned about their life out there. Both Frank and Skip were ranchers. We came in as strangers and left as friends. You just never know who you are going to meet. What a coincidence I first thought, but I know it was for a purpose.
Every encounter has an impact, whether we realize it or not. It can be subtle or more noticeable.
Sometimes it is meant for you and sometimes it is meant for them. I believe everything happens for a reason and there is a purpose. Ultimately, we determine if the encounter is a lesson, an opportunity, a blessing, a friend or even a soulmate. I’m grateful for what has been and look forward to those yet to come.
