Room 654 . . .

Believe me . . .
I know life isn't perfect. I'd even venture to say it is rarely perfect. To make the best of it and muddle through just this side of miserable, I've embraced optimistic perspectives like: life is what you make of it, life is what happens when you're making plans, life is a journey, live in the moment, count your blessings, and many others.

But . . .
every now and then, quite unexpectedly (always unexpectedly because it can't be planned), there is a fleeting glorious delicious BURST of perfection . . . . yes, only a moment, a few moments, an hour, an afternoon or evening, rarely longer than an afternoon or evening. And you know . . .

You just know . . .
there is something Divine. There IS something. There is some kind of mystical magical all knowing force that put you right where you are supposed to be, learning what you are learning, doing just what you're doing. And all of those failures and struggles and pain were part of what got you to this brief but perfect NOW.

And it's all worth it . . .
because you know it's NOT fruitless and meaningless. You know there's purpose - this chaos DOES have order. This, and that, and that all happened because if they hadn't you wouldn't have ended up here, at this rare amazing glimpse of perfect, at this "ooohhhhhh, that's why" understanding. And I don't know about you, but that is where my hope comes from and my faith is reinforced.

Tonight happened for a reason . . .
and I know partly why. And I know someday I will know even more why. This beautiful creature that the Universe entrusted me with 18 years or so ago came home and shared the most beautiful experience I've had told to me in quite some time. She wrote it all down, and in words I can fully see printed and published in a book someday described the magic of Divine. She told the story of how a man she would have never met in any other way was put in her path tonight. In great and beautiful detail she wrote and then read to us the stories told to her by an elderly British patient she talked with while volunteering at the hospital tonight. A man she would not have met had she not accidentally ended up working on the wrong floor due to a confusing construction sign left in the elevator. (see? Divine intervention) For two hours he summed up his long, BOLD, and truly-lived life, powerfully highlighted with advice he somehow knew she needed. I mean, it was the absolute advice she needed to hear . . . right now! AND SHE KNEW IT. She knew it as it was happening . . . they were thrown together for her benefit. It was not accidental. It was a gift. It was meant to be. She didn't talk much, he knew very little of her story and yet he seemed to know exactly what he should tell her.

And so . . .
tonight we listened as she read 7 pages of stories and character observations and bits of conversations she had with other patients that spilled out of her as soon as she got home. We laughed and we cried and we sat there listening, knowing this was kismet, THIS was magic, THIS was perfect. This is the proof that all will be okay, EVERYTHING is just part of the journey. And I was incredibly proud and satisfied that she got it, that she understood, that she saw Divine with her own heart and soul. She knows she has a purpose and the rest is just adventure from here on out.

Thank you, Universe, for sharing Lauren with me.
Thank you, Universe, for sharing Room 654 with Lauren.