Yesterday I woke up with a heaviness on my heart. Which happens from time to time, especially to us hypersensitive types. 😉
So to shake things up, I went to a Nia class at Urban Yoga.
Afterward, a woman approached me and asked if I was related to the Fernando Schaffenburg. Apparently she’d heard my name when I came in the studio and just had to confirm if I had any relation to the ex-ballet master at TCU. When I said that indeed we were related and he was my dad, a smile beamed across her face and she began recounting her memories of him from college.
Since my dad passed away and I moved back to my home town, I relish every time I come in contact with someone who knew him because in that moment, he’s alive again. And between the sparkle in her eye and how elated she was to connect with me, I was moved to tears.
As the conversation went on, she began to weep as well, revealing that her husband had passed away just a year ago. And that today was a very special day because it marked the day they met 40 years ago outside of Colby Hall on TCU’s campus.
As she recounted their meeting and marriage, it sounded like a story book romance. And I began to weep for her.
So there we stood. Together. In communion. Having been complete strangers just moments before but now deeply connected through our loss.
Having witnessed our conversation, our Nia teacher leaned over and said, You were meant to meet. You needed each other today. And it was true.
I hadn’t been to Nia in over two months and instead of dashing off after class, I lingered. For no good reason at first, but now I know why. I wasn’t even aware that I needed to release any grief or that someone near me might need support through their process, but something greater than me knew better.
Life wants to give us what we need. But first we must be willing to open up and let it lead us where it wants to take us.
Being completely open and honest about our feelings can connect us to others in profound ways. And that connection is what heals us. Knowing we’re not alone. Allowing our sorrow to come forth. Acknowledging the past but remembering that life is right here, right now. And standing strong in the reality that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.
So how about you? Ever had a chance encounter with a stranger that profoundly affected your life?
Ingrid Schaffenburg's Blog 
So true! Likewise, I needed this post. I’m having one of those weeks where the daily grind is taking its toll on my psyche. I think some good healing energy this weekend will be in order, but for today, your post did the trick. Thanks, Ingrid. 🙂
You’re so welcome. Hang in there till the weekend then do something to make your spirit soar! 🙂
Numerous such instances. Like running into a couple in northeastern Colorado who were from the tiny town six miles east of the tiny town where my mother grew up. Also, I’ve had my day brightened countless times through the years by waitresses, sales clerks and other such people.
It’s amazing how we can be affected by people we don’t even know if we’re just open to the experience. Love it David!
Most of life is the meantime. If we don’t learn to embrace and enjoy it, we will miss out on most of what life has to offer.
Well said Kristen 🙂
What a touching and relatable story Ingrid. Thanks for linking my post. 🙂
My mom recently encountered a woman at a garage sale of all places who knew my grandmother decades ago. Not only that, but she’d read a letter my grandmother sent her that very morning. My mom calls instances like these “hugs from Grandma.” She tends to get them around her birthday. Sounds like you got a huge squeeze from your wonderful father. I hope you’re feeling better today, and are giving yourself all the R&R you deserve and need.
Thank you August 🙂 “Hugs from Grandma”– I love that! How beautiful. And I do believe that. In fact she said something to me that only I had thought and never expressed, and it floored me. It’s as though he was there confirming my thoughts through her.
I am feeling much better. Thank you for your beautiful support 🙂
Sharing is indeed healing. A very touching story, even brought me to tears. Thanks so much for sharing.
Sharing is SO healing. Thank you 🙂
I really like the idea that life wants to give us what we need.
Lovely post.
Thank you Emma. And I truly believe it does. IF we’re open to it 😉
I’m wiping tears as I read this, Ingrid. These are such important moments to experience and share. There is good karma involved in the type of interaction you shared with that woman.
Yours words touched my heart – “I relish every time I come in contact with someone who knew him because in that moment, he’s alive again”. My first husband, the father of my two sons, died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 49. I was 43 and our sons were 12 and 13. That was 24 years ago. Even though life has moved on, as it does, the mere mention of his name still brings us to tears such as the ones you shed. To me those tears symbolize the loving memories we will always hold dear in our heart.
What a lovely way to heal that heaviness in your heart.
Thank you for your beautiful words Patricia 🙂 I hadn’t thought about the good karma bit but I think you’re right. I’m going to meditate on that for a while 🙂 It was very surreal.
Thank you for sharing the story of your late husband. I’m so sorry for your loss. But you are right. Those tears do symbolize our precious memories for which I’m eternally grateful for.
Beautiful post, Inge!!!
Love,
Mom
Beautiful story, Ingrid! As you stated, life is right here, right now and we need to remain open to the possibilities.
Yes we do. Those possibilities are endless! Thank you George 🙂
Glad you were both able to find comfort!! It’s definitely true that we sometimes need each other to walk into the next phase of our life, healed by the touch of another.
Beautiful. I love that 🙂