Discovering serendipity
right in front of you...
“Sometimes life drops blessings in your lap without you lifting a finger. Serendipity, they call it.” — Charlton Heston
Usually in the fall, you can find me outside riding our lawn mower and picking up leaves. It is one of my favorite activities this time of year. But during this rainy week, I found myself doing more indoor activities than normal. I did some more reading and, I hate to admit it, but much more television viewing than I should.
It’s been about a month since my husband and I officially became “empty nesters”. In fact, nineteen years ago this week, marks when our nest became a little bigger when our son Michael was born.
I have a hard time even remembering what life was like before he got here and this past month has given me a taste of what it will be like when he completely “flies the coop” after college graduation.
My husband and I work different shifts so evenings during the week are quiet - thus the reading and television viewing…
For some reason, despite my own chronic illness background, I love to watch medical dramas…more the drama part and less the medical part. I enjoy the storylines and the complexities of human relationships.
I’ve found that a great television series mimics a great book, where you become so engaged in the story that the characters seem like real people.
One of the episodes I was watching this week brought up the idea of serendipity and it got me researching more about that word and its meaning. I love when something I am watching inspires me to think more and research. (What can I say…once a librarian, always a librarian…)
But for me the best part of any series are the “backstories” - the explanations of why characters are the way they are.
Everyone of us has at least one major backstory. I have several. Here is one of mine that involves serendipity.
Several years ago I found myself in the hospital again. Not my favorite place to be and the first day I was there, I was moved from surgery to a private room.
A knock at the door was followed by a young man carrying in a tray of food. I recognized him right away as a former student. Needless to say, after a career of teaching literally thousands of children, I run into many of my former students.
I pride myself on how often I recognize people but this time my mind and my lips were not coordinated enough to put together a suitable response before he left the room.
A few days went by and I gained more strength and was feeling much better. On the third day, I was ready to go home. I was dressed and waiting to be discharged, when there was another knock on the door.
It was the same young man from the first day carrying my lunch. “Wow! You look much better than the last time I saw you - You must be feeling better because it looks like you’re ready to go!”
This time I saw his name tag and I remembered him specifically. I asked him if he had ever attended Schofield Elementary and his eyes lit up.
“Yes!” He said, “And you were my librarian!”
We went on to have the most wonderful conversation where he described his experiences as a student there. I will always remember the look in his eyes as told me how sad he was when he heard that the school had closed and how everyone there was like a big family.
It made my heart full because I realized the impact that I, and many others I worked with, had made in this one person’s life.
It also gave me a much needed boost…an emotional boost. It was a reminder that regardless of the subject matter that a teacher imparts on her students, what they recall most is how you made them feel…
He finished the conversation by saying, “Now, Mrs. D, it is my turn to take care of you…Where would you like me to put this tray?”
Serendipity…yes…that sums it up well…
What do you think?
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Tranquil Moments…
I asked my niece, Jennifer Malphy, if she could share some of her nature photos with my newsletter audience. Each week I will feature a new photo. Here is this week’s:
This week’s Smile Video
As part of the ongoing series, Kindness 101, Steve Hartman and his kids are sharing stories built around themes of kindness and character and the people who've mastered both. His latest lesson is sacrifice.
#believe #smilevideos #spreadkindnessandlove
What I am reading…
I have always enjoyed the reference book Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations (a.k.a. Bartlett’s Quotes). As a young adult and eventually as a librarian, it was one of my favorite books to just randomly read when I was looking for a little inspiration. It was also one of my favorites to teach students how to use (yes…I am so old I remember when we used to teach students how to research using reference books…)
As I scanned the quotes, I would imagine different stories that could come from them. Other times I would discover quotes that moved me personally.
In today’s world we usually just “google” it but I still prefer to sit down with a good old-fashioned book and soak in the experience that only printed books can provide.
Facebook Memories…
Otherwise known as “The single place on Facebook to reflect on the moments you’ve shared with family and friends…”
My friend Kristin Maahs shared this beautiful memory, regarding her late mother, with the following line: “The little things really are the big things.”
Mind/Body Connections
This 10-minute loving kindness meditation is a traditional compassion practice that aims to cultivate love and benevolence toward ourselves and others and apply it as a life-changing force. Speaking positively to yourself is so important and should become a daily part of our self-care routines.
Sharing Family Favorites…
In July I shared a tribute to my mother entitled Love Made Visible. This week I am sharing another one of her recipes from her cookbook.
Banned Books Week - October 1 – 7, 2023
Banned Books Week, an annual celebration of the freedom to read since 1982, is taking place this year on October 1st - 7th. Each year, librarians, booksellers, teachers and countless others take this opportunity to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom and remind us not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. Contact ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) with questions.
Children’s Corner
Back in 1999, when I was an elementary school librarian, I started a project where I wrote letters (old fashioned, printed letters) to a variety of famous people. This was prior to the daily use of email and text messages. My questions were simple…
1) From your own life experiences, how has reading affected your life in a positive manner?
2) Was there any particular person or experience in your life that made you aware of the value of literature and the importance of reading?
I am going to share these letters and let you experience the joy many of my students (and myself) have gotten from their touching words - Here is this week’s:
Music Moments
Music inspires me in many ways. Here’s a song that I absolutely love. It's an example of using technology in a good way…to reunite a late father and his daughter in a duet…An absolute classic…
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….