Genuine Connections: When You Least Expect It
It was 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Felicia left her therapist’s office still not feeling too much better than when she began going three months ago after her brother, Justin, was killed in a car accident. Her therapist suggested group therapy, and set up her first meeting for the following Wednesday.
Saturday morning, Felicia got out of bed, went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and realized it was completely bare. Her heartache had consumed her so much to the point where she had become absent-minded to quite a few things. She reluctantly got dressed, and headed to the grocery store. She parked her car, grabbed a nearby basket, flung her open purse into the top portion of the basket, reached back into the car for her sweater, and then headed into the store.
Darren had just pulled in two rows behind, and spotted Felicia. He saw that a partially opened envelope had fallen from her purse. He made his way across the parking lot, picked it up, and saw it was filled with cash. He then hurried behind her into the store.
“Excuse me, Miss. You dropped this in the parking lot,” Darren said, handing the envelope to Felicia.
“Oh my God! I didn’t even see it fall. Thank you so much!” Felicia replied.
“No problem. I’m just glad I saw it, and no one else did. No telling where it would be by now!”
“That’s true! Believe me, I’m even more glad than you are! Here, take this,” she said handing him $100 to repay his kindness.
Darren waved it away saying, “Oh, no ma’am. I can’t take that.”
Felicia, “I insist. I have to repay you somehow. A lot of people would have just taken the envelope.”
Darren said, “I tell you what. You can do one thing for me.”
Felicia replied, “What’s that?”
Darren simply said, “Just pray for me.”
“I can definitely do that. I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.”
“Darren, and you are?”
“Felicia. Thank you again.”
Felicia and Darren shook hands and saw something familiar in each other’s eyes, but weren’t quite sure what it was. They continued on with their days.
Wednesday afternoon arrived and Felicia showed up a bit early to her first group meeting. She signed in, and took a seat in one of the cushioned chairs that were formed in a semi-circle. Others began trickling in, and just two minutes before the session started, a familiar face walked through the door.
Darren and Felicia locked eyes and exchanged three different emotions in a matter of seconds; happiness, shock, and confusion. They were glad to see someone familiar, yet shocked and confused why the other was there.
Darren took the only open seat, which was directly across from Felicia. The session started and as the therapist opened the floor for each of them to share their stories, Felicia understood why Darren had asked for prayer. They also realized the familiarity they saw in each other’s eyes. It was pain and grief from very similar losses. Darren had lost a sibling as well six months earlier, his twin brother, Darnell.
After the therapy session ended, Felicia and Darren were in complete disbelief of everything that they both shared. They decided to continue their conversation at a coffee shop down the street. They learned a lot about each other, and had so much in common. They laughed, cried, and prayed. Felicia and Darren were kindred spirits who nurtured one another. That day, a strong bond and great friendship was born.
Some time passed and Felicia thanked her therapist for sending her to group therapy, and eventually shared with him how her chance meeting with Darren, his kindness, and their connection changed her life for the better. Darren and Felicia came into each other’s lives quickly and unexpectedly, but made one of the most tremendous impacts on each other that either of them had ever experienced.
“Sometimes someone comes into your life so unexpectedly, takes your heart by surprise, and changes your life forever.” I am sure many have seen this quote floating around social media as a nice, comforting meme, but it’s actually the truth. Some of the most amazing, genuine, and most impactful people come into our lives suddenly in mysterious ways. They are a breath of fresh air, and seem to be heaven sent. They come not to use, abuse, and destroy. On the contrary, they come to assist, encourage, and restore. The bonds formed with these people are sincere and unbreakable. We should always take the time to give thanks for these rare gems in our lives, and let them know how much we simply appreciate their existence and what they mean to us. These people are few and far between, so find your people, acknowledge your people, and cherish your people.
N7,
Candidly C