Have you every taken the time to really stop and think, wonder about the people that come in (and out) of your life? At any location, any time... There is that old adage "people come for a reason, a season or a lifetime." And I do ponder often about the gifts they bring to my (our) life.
This past weekend we were in a favorite haunt to have some holiday cheer. A place I have many fond memories of over the years and then when the hubs was introduced to it, he just fell in LOVE with the place! It is one of his top 5 without a doubt. Old-time, old fashioned bar with the staff in white shirts and black bow ties, dark wood paneling and bar...a VERY rich history and at the holidays, the decor and spirit that oozes fun. And great food to boot.
We decided kind of last second to walk to this spot since we were in the neighborhood. To say it was packed with holiday revelers is a significant understatement! We looked for a spot to sit at the bar and it was an immediate realization that it was not going to happen so we just looked to inch into a spot to get the bartender's attention to order drinks. No small effort as it was 3 people deep most spots.
This was an interesting stroll up and down the bar area to find an opening for a number of reasons. Just taking in the place that I am only in about 2 or 3 times a year and love. But as I walked behind the hubs and watched the people around me, I was struck at two particular people I could not take my eyes away from. It was one of those moments that you wonder if you're seeing your friend or just their doppelgänger.
Paulie, our amazing and kind, loving friend who moved here from County Mayo in Ireland and became a restaurant proprietor. He is one of the kindest people and though we don't see him often, we talk about him often and miss his smile and presence. His twin was sitting at a table with 3 women having dinner. I actually got close enough to make eye contact to see if it was truly him. It wasn't but it was one of those moments...you just keep looking thinking it really IS him!
Jen, our beloved vet tech at our traditional vet... She has a smile and that contagious laughter you fall right in love with when you meet her. Well, there at the edge of the waiters' station at the bar was Jen's doppelgänger and as with Paulie's twin, I could not take my eyes from her because she smiled like Jen, laughed like her, had the same curly hair...it was her! I looked often enough that I thought she was probably going to look at me and ask just what I was staring at.
There are those people that are put into your path that seem to be beyond the meeting one time and while you may not see them but on a rare occasion, you can reach out and say hello and enjoy the time in laughter and stories. Like our friends Michelle and Damien in Dublin, Bente and Jon in Norway, both couples we know from a Springsteen concert in Ireland in 2016.
What brings these people to us? Chance meetings, passings in conversation and a drink order in a bar. I can think of times when it was truly a passing of ships and it was a time when I was feeling horrible and the small talk, the chat left me feeling like a million dollars. Times where I truly felt like I was in my boat alone with no oars. And then someone will show up, a complete stranger, and it will be a moment of laughter, sharing of similar stories and we are exchanging emails or cell phone numbers or agreeing to have coffee sometime in a few weeks. We may not be erecting monuments to the friendship in the months to come, but the energy of people who "happen" into our lives sometimes are just exactly what the world knows we would love.
The synchronicity of life...
Ah yes, the synchronicity! As we were all parting from our chance meeting and I made a passing comment in the glow of "holiday cheer", finishing a previous conversation about "daughters" that I had been a sorority mom/advisor to for 15 years... daughters of the heart. The daughter of Jen's twin asked what sorority and I told her it was the same one I had been a member of in undergrad and now another chapter near us had asked me to come in as alumni advisor. When I told her what sorority it was there was a collective squeal from the 3 ladies I had been having so much fun with and the daughter blurted out our sorority's motto! She is a member of the same sisterhood, different chapter! There is something about being a member of the same sorority for many women that is special; you know and experience all of the same things, different generations, different locations even though you may not know one another or be in the same location. A bond. And here a stranger who had become a new friend shared a bond that has been a part of my life for over 40 years and still plays a small part through all of those beloved daughters who still are with us.
Those chance meetings, the laughter, the stories, the exchange of contact information. The occasional card, email, text. Life gives us so many chances to gather in the souls who are supposed to be there at any given time and/or place to fill our hearts (and hopefully we fill theirs!) whether they remain long into later life or just for the moment. The love and laughter meant to fill our hearts and souls. Right there in front of us.
I am grateful for every single one that has brought the positive and loving energy into our lives during these rough times (and all of the good times!) Take the time to pay attention to the love and laughter that comes your way and embrace gratitude for it.
And...go be love out there, the world really needs you for that right now <3
