I’ve been intrigued to discover in my life that coincidences are not random, but are rather experiences with significance to us, as we have created them with our energetic attraction, or alignment.
In October of 1990, my brother Craig died suddenly and unexpectedly. He was 26 years old. Devastation, shock, a depth of sadness unexperienced before...all enveloped our family. Yet, we huddled together, and bonded even closer, into this tight, solid unit of love and support, helping each of us to survive what felt unsurvivable at times.
Trey and I had scheduled a trip to Thailand months earlier, which was to take place just weeks after Craig’s passing. Forgoing this trip would have been easy, but my family insisted that we still go. Not surprisingly, while in Thailand, Trey and I were immersed in heavy grief, processing, and reflection on the fragility of life and what truly matters to us. Within this deep contemplation, we decided to start our family when we returned home.
I went into labor with Connor on the one year anniversary of Craig’s death, and she was born the next day.
Fast forward to present time, 23 and 1/2 years from our trip to Thailand, where we grieved and opened the door for Connor to bless our lives.
It’s April and Connor is home (from her job in the mountains) to get shots for her rock climbing trip in Thailand, with her boyfriend, for the whole month of May. She recently transitioned from hostess to server at the restaurant where she works and shared that she enjoys her job, but mostly, she enjoys her friendship with Blake, one of the cook’s. She calls him a “gentle giant” because he is 6’5” or taller and is the most positive and genuine and caring person she knows. She talks about how his presence lights up the restaurant, as well as makes her excited about going to work each day.
A week later, Blake was murdered.
Connor found herself in Thailand, grieving a devastatingly painful and unexpected loss, just as Trey and I had experienced so many years before.
Even more peculiar, Connor’s grandfather (my father) died at the end of her trip in Thailand. Connor was the first of 13 grandchildren, and she and my father possessed a uniquely special bond. Thankfully, we were able to fly Connor and her boyfriend home in time for my dad’s funeral.
I never imagined that Thailand would or could hold the energetic space that it has held for my older daughter and myself, but it has, whether by coincidence...or not, in my experience. Thank you Thailand for being an unexpected womb for healing our grief.
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