5.) taking leaps of faith.

I met an old woman today who I expected, from the emotions on her face, to be crotchety and bitter.  Physically, this woman has been through a slew of health issues recently, and it is apparent that she will no longer be caring for herself as she's always done.  She is fatigued, she is sore, she is dependent on others, and she is angry.  She is worn down and broken from loss.

But instead, today this woman told me a story that warmed my heart.  She told me about how her husband of 59 years passed away after battling a terrible cancer.  In the next year, she buried not one but two of her children.  Her siblings were gone, her friends were dwindling.  She spent three years grieving and praying for companionship, and dabbled in evening activities at her local church.  One day, her power was shut of while the electric company worked on some lines.  Bored, she went to lunch at the senior center (which she never did... "who wants to eat with a bunch of drooly old fuddy-duddies?").  While there, a man, who was touring the senior center for the very first time, caught her eye immediately.  An attractive widower, she soon found out they'd gone to the same high school (though not at the same time).  One week later, they decided to tie the knot! 

I can not even begin to imagine the reaction from friends and family that must have ensued.  Imagine, getting married after 1 week!  But she insisted that "when you know, you know... and if you've already been reminded too many times just how fragile life is, then why waste another minute?" 

This couple has now been together for 3 and 1/2 years (actually "3 years, four months, and a week... but who's counting?!", if you ask the woman in the story).  They wink at each other when they think no one is looking.  They hold hands at her bedside while she rests.  He pushes her to work hard, get better, and come home soon.  She, of course, nags him about keeping up with the garden while she is in the hospital.  And to think: if the power company hadn't needed to turn off the electricity... if the woman hadn't decided to get out of the house for a bit... if her friend hadn't offered to let her tag along... if the man hadn't been standing there looking "dapper" at the sign-in sheet... and most importantly, if they both hadn't have had open hearts, open minds, and taken a huge leap of faith.... this happy couple, who spend every waking minute together, would not be a couple at all.  Each would be completely alone in this big, big world. 

Anyway, I thought I would share this story because it reminds us that sometimes we do get lucky.  Sometimes, good (love) can come from bad (loss).  Sometimes, the universe isn't out to get us and things actually work out.  Sometimes, it's okay to take a leap of faith... because you never know, it just might work out in the end!