I Do Not Believe in Coincidences

I do not believe in coincidences.  I read a lot of murder mysteries, and the protagonists are always saying this.

But just because it is a platitude, it does not mean it is not true. Most recently this past year, at work, I happened to be in the chow hall at the same time as a volunteer Chaplain, who had volunteered at the unit for 18 years, and whom I had never met.  She invited me to eat with her and we had a great talk.  It was a blessing to meet her and learn about her work in the regional medical center.

A few weeks ago, a nurse I do not usually sit with joined me for lunch.  Near the end of lunch, she confided that her cousin had recently committed suicide. We talked for some time.  One thing we discussed was that her aunt was not sure about what kind of service, or doing any service.  I confided with her regarding some of my past experiences with suicide. I talked to her about the presumption of regret right before death, and that God would then forgive someone and welcome that person into Heaven. 

Ever the social worker, I found some local resources for her and, since her cousin lived elsewhere, resources where he lived.

Later that week, I checked on the nurse.  The memorial service had been the day before, and she was eager to discuss it with me.  I was honored to listen.  It had helped a great deal in the healing process.

Well, today, I was thinking about grits when Chef Jeff http://www.chefjefflive.com/ came on TV with a recipe for grits. I have frequently seen the Chef Jeff segments on TV, but did not pay much attention to who he was or what his story was.  Until today.  I went looking for his recipe, and learned about his background.  He was a cocaine kingpin, went to federal prison, and grew up, grew responsible and learned a trade in prison:  cooking.

As a social worker in a prison, I am always looking for a good role model for the offenders with whom we work.  An ex-felon who makes good is a plus as a good role model.  Jeff Henderson has a new book: If you Can See it, You Can Be It.   He has two other books: Cooked: My Journey from the Street to the Stove and Chef Jeff Cooks:  In the Kitchen with America's Inspirational New Culinary Star http://www.amazon.com/Cooked-My-Journey-Streets-Stove/dp/0061153915/ref=la_B001JS3E78_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1399842132&sr=1-1.  

Apparently, the last book is more of a cookbook, but I will read the other two for sure.

The point is, if I was not thinking about grits, and Chef Jeff was not presenting a recipe about grits, I would not have learned of his past, and the potential to use him as a role model for my patients.

Fortuitous

One of my most favorite musicals is The Sound of Music http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/.
This morning, I stumbled onto the intermission, and finished watching the rest of the movie. (I have seen it so many times, I could pick up the story without effort.) I did not realize it was starting anew immediately upon completion.  I decided to watch it again. Well, at least part of it: it will work out well. The Yankee http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=nyy&tcid=mm_mlb_sitelist games comes on part way through the movie.  I will have seen most of it, but just out of order.  Still, that is fortuitous.

This Was Meant to Be

I decided to run some errands today.  Although Saturday is my usual shopping day, and I did go shopping yesterday, there were some things I wanted.  In the parking lot, I was approached by a woman who was asking for a handout. I do not usually give money, but asked her if she could use something to eat.  She said sandwich meat and bread, so I bought some for her, along with a bottle of mustard, and lettuce.

When I left the store, she was no where around. I even wandered around my car for a bit, looking for her.  I did not see her, nor hear her hail me. Nothing. 

Oh well, I do not usually eat white bread sandwiches, but I bought the food thinking this might happen, and it would not go to waste.

I had a book to drop off at the library.  Many Sundays, I go to the main branch, as the branch near me is not open.  But I have 4 other books to read, and did not need to go to the library to get a book, so I used the drop box at the branch near me.

He was sitting on the sidewalk, with his stroller full of stuff.  I had seen him hanging around the main library, when the homeless hung out their regularly.  They have been more or less chased away, now.  He was just sitting there, minding his own business.  He said nothing to me.  I started to return to the car, then went back to ask him if he could use some sandwich fixings.  He was a little hesitant, but said "I guess so."  I got the bread, meat and mustard for him.  The meat will not last long in this heat, but the lettuce would go away very fast.  I hope he can use the food. When I drove away he was staring in the bag, opening and closing it, I think, in surprise. Coincidence? I do not think so. I did not know it at the time, but I did not buy that food for the woman in the parking lot. I bought it for that man.

V

Did you know that the Morse code for the letter vee is da da da daaaa.  And, if you think about it there is a very famous symphony that starts with da da da daaaa.  It is Beethoven's 5th Symphony.  Additionally, the Roman numeral symbol for 5 is V.  I do not know what all this means in the grand scheme of things.  But I wonder about it sometimes.  Maybe I have too much time on my hands.