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February 20, 2015

Serendipity

29 Comments/ 9516/ 4

Serendipity.

Serendipity means a “fortunate happenstance” or “pleasant surprise”. It was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754. In a letter he wrote to a friend Walpole explained an unexpected discovery he had made by reference to a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip. The princes, he told his correspondent, were “always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of.  (Wikipedia)

I am a lover of all things serendipity and recently I had one of those most pleasant surprises on a flight home from Alabama.  Maybe some folks would say that this event was nothing out of the ordinary.  Some might say I was reading something into a situation and a conversation. Those people would be wrong. Very wrong.

Recently as I was flying back to Mason City on my little “intimate” Air Choice One plane I had an entire flight filled with serendipity.  As I waited in the boarding area in Chicago there were 2 other families and myself ready to go on the flight.  Our pilot and co-pilot were there and it was agreed that since we were all there we might as well leave a bit early so we could arrive home earlier. That is the beauty of flying on a small plane.  Win win in my opinion and so the family of 4, the family of 3 , the pilots and I boarded our sweet plane to head home.

The plane has captains chairs and the middle row is 4 chairs facing each other if that makes any sense.  I didn’t take a picture but you can figure it out, right?  So I was sitting facing the one dad who was flying back with his teenagers who were sitting in the back of the plane.

So the dad is a “talker”.  Sometimes that is irritating on a flight and especially on a small plane like this one I was a bit apprehensive about how this flight was going to go because I was seriously going to be held captive by this man on a 2 + hour flight if he talked the entire flight.  But God in all His wisdom provided a serendipitous moment for me and it was wonderful.

As the young man talked he shared that he and his two kids were coming back from a tropical vacation.  His wife and their mom had passed away months before and this was a trip for the three of them to enjoy time together – away from all of the sadness and grief.  The sadness that envelops the soul when a loved one dies and there appears to be no good reason why it has to be that way.

She had cancer and was a fighter from everything that he told me.  She did not pity herself. She stayed strong. She did not cry about her situation or question why it was happening. She just did the best she could do and fought.  As we talked he shared a lot of her story, a lot of his story and a some bits and pieces about how their lives had changed during her illness and after her death last year.  Raising two kids without a mom has to be a daunting task in and of itself but coupled with having to deal with grief of his own it seemed like it would be almost too much to bear.

But he is doing it and doing it to the best of his ability.  As we talked he shared that Hospice had been of great help to them during the months that she had been sick and even after her death he said that they were still there for him.

And that is when the serendipity happened.  He mentioned a card that he got from Hospice after she had passed away.  Yes, one of “MY” cards.  I asked him if it was handmade and signed by the team that had cared for his wife and he just looked at me and nodded.  I told him that I had made that card and that I pray over those cards and the people whose hands will touch them when I hand them over to  Hospice of North Iowa.  It was then that we had a moment.  You can imagine.  It was incredible.

As you can imagine I do not know where my cards go after they leave my hands.  I abide by strict confidentiality in all things related to Hospice because that is the nature of Hospice.  But this was different.  This was a moment that I will always treasure and I think you can imagine why.

When we deplaned and as I waited for my ride (that is another story for another day!) he got his luggage and came to say goodbye to me.  As we talked he thanked me for listening to him the entire flight and I told him it was my privilege.  He thanked me for the card and then because it felt right – we hugged.  A nice long and satisfying hug from one who might have needed that seat across him on that flight to be occupied by someone who is a good listener.  Serendipity?  Yes.  And it was wonderful.

Have you ever had an experience that is serendipitous?  I would love to hear about it in the comments and remember each comment this month goes to our Comments for a Cause Room to Read.   Sympathy Cards at itsjustlife.me

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29 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Dianna
    February 20, 2015 at 06:08 am

    What a WONDERFUL story, Beth Anne!!! My son and I call those events “synchronicities” and we love it when they happen. Yours was amazing. I’m sure you touched that man’s life in TWO ways. Bless your heart.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 06:41 am

      I love your word! That is the perfect description, isn’t it, of the events that come when least expected but are such a blessing. Thanks for stopping by, Dianna. Trying to catch up with everyone –hopefully next week will be a catch up week for me!

      Reply
  2. lclalor
    February 20, 2015 at 06:25 am

    I’m glad you shared that story. It was serendipity, indeed. A friend tells me it’s good energy that attracts these situations.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 06:40 am

      I must have a cloud of good energy around me! It was such an amazing couple of hours. I really felt like I was in the right place at the right time. 🙂 Kind of like your cooking class but different!

      Reply
  3. livinglifejoyfully
    February 20, 2015 at 07:01 am

    Love this story. A lot. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 07:02 am

      Thanks, Joy. It was a really neat experience.

      Reply
  4. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    February 20, 2015 at 08:10 am

    This is raising goosebumps on my arms. This was absolutely meant to be. You are a great listener, so compassionate and caring. The comfort you offered this grieving father simply by listening is a gift.

    Yes, I had a similar situation last Sunday after church. I was able to listen to a mother who needed someone to listen. I could relate to her current challenges. By the time we finished our conversation and hugged, we were both crying.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 08:42 am

      It was a pretty spectacular trip and made me realize that I do the things I do for a reason. God made me just the way I am and has given me the heart that I have so I need to listen to those nudgings and follow through on them. Thanks for sharing your experience as well.

      Reply
      1. Minnesota Prairie Roots
        February 23, 2015 at 09:34 am

        And I appreciate that God made you the way you are. You are fantastic!

        Reply
        1. Beth Ann Chiles
          February 23, 2015 at 09:35 am

          Aw shucks!

          Reply
  5. Sonia Potts
    February 20, 2015 at 08:12 am

    These moments are aligned by God I think. You got to experience first hand in that moment how what you so lovingly do really impacts a person. You deserve to feel accomplished, proud, loved, and worthy even though you do not do any of it for those reasons! You got a thank you and a hug from God. ❤️

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 08:41 am

      I love the hug from God thought! I am going to remember that because it perfectly describes the feeling. I know you have gotten affirmations and hugs from God along the way as well and I am so glad that we have those, aren’t you?

      Reply
  6. Marla aka Crazy Mom
    February 20, 2015 at 08:44 am

    God-moments! I call these serendipitous moments, God-moments. That is an absolutely beautiful story. As a widow that raised two boys …. I know YOU were put together in that moment by God. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 08:51 am

      Thanks, Marla. Yes—that is exactly what they are. There is no doubt in my mind.

      Reply
  7. donnahup
    February 20, 2015 at 08:53 am

    I think this is so cool for both you and him 🙂

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 20, 2015 at 08:58 am

      Thanks, Donna. It was pretty amazing actually.

      Reply
  8. Katy Flint
    February 20, 2015 at 09:33 am

    This story gave me goose bumps! What an amazingly wonderful story!!

    Reply
  9. poemsandponderings
    February 20, 2015 at 09:35 am

    “It’s a small world after all”.. Aw, what an awesome story. Your ‘karma’ is a magnetic force that draws people to you. Thanks for sharing this touching moment with us.

    Reply
  10. Darlene
    February 20, 2015 at 11:52 am

    Oh my. How special. These serendipitous moments no longer surprise me. They are meant to be. Thanks for sharing this with us. You were there when he needed you to be there. He also knew you were a good listener. The world needs more of you!!

    Reply
  11. Gibber
    February 20, 2015 at 02:31 pm

    Wow what a powerful experience. God works in mysterious ways. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Helen Brown
    February 20, 2015 at 06:18 pm

    I am so so glad you were there when he needed to share his lose and I am sure it was joust what he needed.

    Reply
  13. Pix Under the Oaks
    February 21, 2015 at 09:30 am

    I have had my share of serendipitous moments but this one you have written about is so sweet and powerful that I wouldn’t want to add a thing! Lovely Beth Ann!

    Reply
  14. Thread crazy
    February 21, 2015 at 08:50 pm

    All I can say is God works in mysterious ways, he and he alone knew what each of you needed that day. One never knows how our actions, words and deeds will impact another individual. I’m so happy God gave you a “serendipitous moment”!

    Reply
  15. Mama's Empty Nest
    February 23, 2015 at 09:24 am

    Well that was a perfect example of what we call in our family “a God thing.” He knows exactly who needs to be a listening ear and who needs encouragement and causes our paths to cross to do so. Perfect timing from a perfect God. Beautiful story, Beth Ann!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 23, 2015 at 09:27 am

      Thanks so much. It was a lovely moment indeed and yes—-a God thing. Definitely. Without a doubt.

      Reply
  16. bocafrau
    March 01, 2015 at 10:48 am

    Wow! That’s just amazing! Reading this made me tear up! xo

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      March 02, 2015 at 02:55 pm

      It was amazing. I was so happy that we were on the same flight and that he felt comfortable sharing with me. It was truly a serendipitous moment.

      Reply
  17. benzeknees
    April 02, 2015 at 01:38 am

    I know I have had many serendipitous things happen to me in my life, but right at this moment I cannot thing of a single one. You were meant to be there for this gentleman on that day & he was meant to be there for you to remind you just how much your generous spirit by donating the cards is appreciated.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 02, 2015 at 06:24 am

      Thanks so much. It was truly a special moment and I was so blessed by it —probably much more so than he was.

      Reply

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