Serendipity

Serendipity (noun): The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way...

 I do believe that life has been kind enough to hand me what I need when I need it.  People come in and out of my life to shape me into the person that types this post.  There are some people who seem to flutter in quickly, and others who leave a deep permanent impression--as if he stuck his boot in my wet cement sidewalk...

I went to Chattanooga for a series of meetings and interviews.  I was actually excited to have the opportunity to meet with these people, because we have discovered through speaking with different organizations, that we will all have mutual professional benefit from working together.  And since I don't believe in reinventing the wheel, and I like to do things the right way once and use it later, I happily agreed to meet today.

The other reason for my adventure was to interview people for my book.  I can honestly say that I wasn't very certain how this was all going to go.  I was never good at formally interviewing people.  I have the social ability to talk to a wall if needed, so I can carry on a conversation just fine.  But when it comes to asking questions, writing responses, and prompting the guest, I was terrified of what might happen.  Once I met with the liaison, I found that my new friend was feeling exactly the same way.

I don't say this many times in my life, and may not say this again for a long time: my life has been changed from meeting this person.  I know everyone goes about life, bumping into each other and leaving tiny ripples.  But this guy, he smashed his boot right into my cement, and I will never be the same.

We decided to make it a casual interview, and meet for coffee.  This turned into lunch, so we had an opportunity to talk quite a bit.  I knew the interview was not going to go as planned when we sat down and I said:

"So, I am Michelle. I am going to ask you a few questions."

And he responds...

"What's your story?"

To which I can only reply...

"Um... I think I am supposed to be the one asking the questions."

It was an absolutely comical endeavor. We laughed, I was able to vent my frustrations in dealing with all this mess in my head, and I had a person sitting next to me that had already been there and done that.  The great thing is that he was a successful professional being, had a tragic traumatic brain injury, and came out of it a relatively normal human being (which is a lot to say for any of us really).  He is passionate about life, he is thoughtful, asks a lot of meaningful questions, and really wants to get something out of his interactions with people.

I did feel a bit uncomfortable, I must admit.  The only reason is that he served the purpose that I always fill.  At work, at home, and in some of my friendships, people say that I notice random things and always seem to have an agenda in my mind.  I will point out what a person commented, and perhaps the motivation for such comment.  I never realized how transparent I made people feel until I was under examination today.  It seems I was not able to keep any secrets--I was completely vulnerable.

"You like to categorize people, don't you?"

"You always like to leave impressions on people, don't you? Doesn't that become exhausting?"

"Were you a misfit?"

"Were you the ugly duckling when you were growing up? When will you realize you are beautiful?"

"You laugh when you are nervous." (which happened a lot toward the end, because I felt there were few secrets left)

This was definitely not the interview I had planned, but I was beyond thrilled that I made the journey. We walked about the art district for a bit, and I told him about my first ever "date" that I had with a boy. I told him that we were in an art museum, and the boy did not "get" the piece of art.  I know I speak in a very animated style, but I was probably overzealous in describing this painting.  I told all of the parts that made me so passionate about art, and why I loved this piece.  His look changed, and I asked him if something was wrong.

He said, "No, you just made me fall in love with this painting."

It's funny. I hadn't remembered that memory until we walked up to the stairs of the museum.  It seems like it was a lifetime ago.  Indeed it was--my new life started only a few years ago.

At the end of our journey, we talked about careers.  How we are pushed to choose one that has socially redemptive value.  He was an oncologist, which is a highly admired profession.  I told him that I have been teaching for five years, and asked him what was the limit of how long I had to be in a social redemptive field (I was only joking)?

"Five years!! I was going to say six months."

:-)

After studying me for a while, he told me that I needed to sell tickets, and not meet criteria.

I apparently looked very puzzled by this statement.  He said I am not a spirit that can be content in meeting up to other people's expectations of me.  Frankly, that can be exhausting for people that don't enjoy rigid structure and conformity.  I need to produce what I have of myself, and my audience will find me.  I think he is a wise man, and will be a terrific partner in this journey.

At the end of our walk, he asked me if this would give me enough for a book.

I told him that got us through about Chapter 1.

And so the journey continues...

The Prodigal Son

I took a road trip this weekend--it was part work and part pleasure.  I had to drive to Chattanooga to meet with a traumatic brain injury council for work, but also had a little bit of free time to explore the area.

I talked with a friend on Day 1, and he told me to make it a goal to explore and try two new things that day.  There was plenty to explore, so I knew my goal would be much higher.  I made a few mental calculations about meeting times and such, and tried to figure out what I might like to do that was new and exciting.

I realized this may have been the first time in a LONG time that I took the time to do whatever I pleased, and explored the world around me.  After thinking about it for a while, I realized it was probably a good four years or more (which is terribly pathetic).

So, I decided that between meetings I would venture over to the Bluff View Arts District in downtown Chattanooga.  I had never really ventured around the area, and I am sure there were plenty of things I could see.

I went to the Bluff View Bakery and watched them make artisan breads (and bought a pretzel the size of my head!).  I stopped in at the Rembrandt's Roasting Company, and talked to the Apprentice to the Roastmaster.  He showed me how coffee beans were roasted, which was an incredibly cool experience.

I stopped in at an art gallery and took a look around, then went over to Rembrandt's to grab a cup of coffee.  Of course, it was sunny and there was a cool breeze, so I snapped tons of photos of the view.  I traveled into the sculpture gallery to sit and enjoy my snack, and took a long stroll past all of the art.

I don't know how to describe moments like these- I just wish I had a camera that could capture sensory experiences.  As I sat on a bench and looked around me, there was a cool gentle breeze, I could feel the heat of the sunshine on my head, and I heard the clanging of a set of artsy wind-chimes.  In the background, I could hear the cars soaring over the bridges.  I closed my eyes so I could drink in this feeling.  I desperately wanted to remember this experience, so I could draw upon its serenity during times of distress (which, unfortunately, happens all too often lately).

When I opened my eyes, I turned to look behind me before getting up.  Before me stood a giant bronze statue.  I looked at it closely, and saw two men embracing and wrapped in some sort of fabric.  Of course, I needed to know what this statue was, so I stood up and moved closer.  It was The Prodigal Son, and the statue was of a father embracing his son.  

I sat for quite a while and looked at this piece.  I don't know the extent of others' religious backgrounds, but many people are familiar of the story of The Prodigal Son.  The gist is that a man has two sons, and gives them each their inheritance.  One son spends his money wisely and does what he is told.  The other son spends his money on wild times with prostitutes, and does not follow the wisdom of his father.  When the second son returns, the father embraces him and throws a feast in his honor.  The first son is furious (and jealous) and proclaims that the father never threw a feast for him for doing the right thing.  The father says "But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found." Luke 15:32.

I think we have all had times like this in our life.  We know we don't do the right thing, and we worry about facing our fears and owning up to our problems.  On the other end, do we ever really embrace people that have returned "from the dead" and have become alive again?  It seems like this world makes people believe it is ok to rally against fellow man.  When we watch television or read any popular culture, it is celebrated to be lost and almost seems easiest to stay that way.  We don't readily embrace those that make the tough decision to live again after death.

I know I am not alone when I say that I have made bad decisions in my life.  I know each one of us has done things that were not good.  The key is in making it right, owning up to who you are, and facing the fear of humility and repentance.  This isn't even a religious discussion--I am talking about everyone of every background.  I can't say that I am a terribly spiritual person- I believe there are greater themes among all the religions that kind of blend together.  And I know that religion or spirituality isn't for everyone, but I do know that this story resonates with many of us.  We have all had times where we have gone astray--to the dark recesses of the world--and we fear how we will be received when we choose to come back to life.  I am fortunate enough to say that when I returned from my dark place, I was embraced by these same strong, open arms.

So, the journey was a productive one, but quite a realization as well. I came to see how far I had come through my life; how many ups and downs I really did have, and how I was welcomed home with open arms after everything.  This is a time in my life when I needed love and support more than anything, and I am truly grateful to say that I have received both in abundance.