life lessons

serendipity

mimijk

Hi my friend,

I hope the summer has been good for you despite the withering heat. I wonder sometimes why we ignore all these weather changes – sometimes I get the feeling that everyone is exhausted and are resigned to indifference with an edge. That isn’t what I want to write about – I’m sorry for being off topic in the first paragraph..

C.S. Lewis wrote “Friendship is born at the moment when one man says to another, ‘What? You too?” In 2013, I wrote about my friend Simon (Simonmarsh.org). We had known about each other for years already and used to muse what it would look like if we sat on the porch with a coffee and tried to catch up on every topic – it would be a long discussion.

Andy and I were in Scotland a few weeks ago – Andy to golf on every course that had a history; me to marvel at the stories and architectural history and delight in the people I met. But for me, the highlight was meeting Simon face-to-face. He met me in the hotel lobby, and we knew each other right away. Ok, he was a little taller than I imagined, but his smile I would have recognized anywhere.

So conversations occurred organically with little interruption – there was so much to say. I got to fall in love with the Edinburgh that Simon loves, and felt as if I had been given a gift. He has retired from his tenure as a parish priest though there is a whisper of his devotion to one and all. Is it sacred? Yeah, I think it so. We spoke about peace, the fundamental differences in our religions somehow seemed manageable – especially if one starts with a foundation of love. Sappy? Maybe a little.

A few short days after we got home Simon sent me a message that his mom had passed. His moments with her were moments he cherished, leaving one to believe that she was a fantastic woman who was deeply loved. I was glad to be there during some of those hard, hard days. That’s what friends do.

We laughed a lot, wept over the state of the U.S., delighted to hear about a woman he has fallen in love with, his kids, my kids, grandchildren. I got to see how Simon spends his day and walks gently upon this earth. I don’t know if we’ll see each other again, but he is safe and treasured in my mind’s eye.

So was this serendipity? Kismet? I’d like to think this was going to happen no matter what – that the universe aligned in a fantastic way. Perhaps the circumstances are irrelevant, the fact that it happened is amazing to me.

So we return to emails and poetry and updates and be grateful. Sending thank yous to friends near and far and those that may be. Have a great day. Hugs, Mimi

Unknown's avatar

Published by mimijk

Woman of a certain age…mom, wife, grandmom, sister, friend, mentor, advisor, perpetual ponderer. “I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning difficult” (E.B. White)

19 thoughts on “serendipity”

    1. Promise me you’ll never get your eyes checked!! Seriously, thank you for the props – I hope you’re doing well and ready for a cooler fall..

      Reply

      1. Ha!  Totally ready for some cooler weather.  Believe it or not (yes, we are THAT old) – Nick is starting his first week teaching high school Theology in Utah (summers at Notre Dame in their graduate program for Theology) and Alex is a junior at CSU Long Beach, majoring in Psychology and is an RA this year!  Eek!

      2. I can’t believe the boys have gotten so big – and doing so well! I hold them in my memory as wrong guys…Definitely not a testament to our aging but a tribute to our stamina!!

  2. I also wonder what it would be like for us to connect, once again. After hugs and happy tears, I suspect we would pick up like we had just seen each other last week. Lots of love to you.

    Reply

  4. What a wonderful share, Mimi! You two look absolutely terrific. Such a joy to be able to meet face-to-face with those we connect with on-line. So happy you got a chance to.

    Reply

    1. I feel the same way – we get to know so much about each other, that on the rare occasion when we can meet, it feels like we’ve been friends forever

      Reply

  6. Ahhh, sweet friend, you know how eagerly I anticipated this wonderful meet-up between two cherished friends whom kismet has brought *my* way. I have had the pure blessing of being able to be with you in person on multiple occasions, closing a loop that began online, and I sincerely hope that one day I will be able to share a long conversation with our dear Simon in person as well. In the meantime, I delight in knowing that two of the most beautiful souls I know shared some time together. Sending love across the miles….

    Reply

    1. You knew how excited I was at the prospect of meeting Simon. This tender cushion of wonderful people we have gotten to know though the years..xox

      Reply

  8. ‘Safe and treasured in my mind’s eye’ – thank you, dear Mimi. These are words of blessing indeed – and I extend them to and for you.

    What a happy Edinburgh rendez-vous! And onwards now, as you say, to further happy connection by way of more emails, and more poetry, too. Hugs 🤗 xx

    Reply

Leave a comment