“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” Audrey Hepburn
There has been a new twist in the Sansoxygen Saga that I’d like to share, something we’ve been focusing a lot of energy on in the past couple of weeks, but before I can tell that story, I feel the need to share another that I’ve been marveling over in my mind for awhile now. It is seemingly unrelated, but to me it has to come first…it’s a forerunner for the second story, the recovery story. These things are so remarkable to me, I don’t think I’ll be able to express them in one post. So even if this one doesn’t seem important, I hope you return for Part 2.
In mid-January, before ICU drama and Vernon’s bad bout with infection that sent him back so many paces, back when my main concern was whether Vernon would actually be moved to a better care home for him, I got a text on evening from my friend Buzzy Enniss, asking if I had a minute for him to tell me an amazing story about one of my paintings. We go way back as friends—he is a stand-up poet and a great champion of artists and creative collaboration—but we don’t chat much, but of course I was curious.
Going a little further back, in September, he sent me another text, asking if I had any large artworks to display in the lobby of a church in Lake Elsinore, about an hour from here. I happened to have a series of four large canvases in the garage, freshly taken down from a spring exhibit. He picked them up, and hung them up, sending a photo shortly after. Then I pretty much forgot about them, until his phone call this year.
Anyway, the “amazing story” he had to tell me was not what I expected. Not what I ever would have dreamed up even, unless maybe I was a fiction writer. Here it goes: a couple visited this church in Lake Elsinore (which is NOT, I must add, a big city hub) as a potential venue for their wedding. Apparently they knew immediately upon entering the lobby that this was the place they were supposed to get married…because they were greeted by a painting of their little girl!
Buzzy sent me the above pictures together…the top is my painting, the bottom is a random stock image I had found online. ONLINE: which means she could have been a little girl from anywhere. “She could have been from Australia!” Buzzy exclaimed at the bizarreness of it all. But no, the photo they showed him, the one he sent me, was indeed the one I had found online, while looking for source inspiration for the series. And to top that: it was taken 19 years ago! So this girl must be about 25 years old now, and if all goes well, she will be at the wedding of her parents this year—in the same space as the painting.
What at the chances? All these little connections. Each one sort of sewn together quietly behind the scenes. I could go on and on in wonder, but even when I got off the phone that night, I was left with this profound sense that this was a symbol, something that reflected something MORE. It was a great story of connection and mystery for this couple obviously, and maybe their daughter too. Even Buzzy got in on it. But for me, in a time, when I was so disheartened and burnt-out in my quest to move Vernon forward, I took it as a beacon of hope. This strange serendipitous connection was not just ‘funny luck’ to me. It was certainly a SIGN that great things are happening behind the scenes, people are being mobilized beyond my control to come together when the time is right, in the way that best suits a greater good.
It’s a bizarre little story, I know. But isn’t it remarkable? Again, I wouldn’t have dreamed this up. What other things I haven’t dreamed up…we’ll find out later. But this gave me the hope that things will come together when we need them, when maybe we least expect them, and those things are already in the works…outside of our awareness and control.
Anything IS possible. The stranger the better, sometimes.
121
From time to time I muse on the idea that we are surrounded by people who know us, are related to us, love us, but we just don’t recognize. How many times have you unexpectedly stumbled upon someone you haven’t seen in years? Now how many more times do you think we’ve been back to back with old friends, lovers and even family, but did NOT see them? Is it possible that distant relatives pass by us unrecognized? How about old friends who have changed so much we wouldn’t recognize them if they announced their presence?
What all this really means isn’t clear to me, except that there is a world of activities happening right in front of us that we are never aware of. Maybe that’s good, maybe not, but it’s intriguing.
Allison,
What an awesome story about the little girl and she is a grown young lady and you painted her quite a while a ago. I would say that God is in control of everything. Still praying for Vernon and you and the children. God will by your side all the way.
Love
Becky
That sounds just like what God would do! I hope the couple was also encouraged by this remarkable “coincidence” and that you will get to meet them and their daughter. What a wonderful way to start my week! Thank you once Moore, Allison, for sharing with us.
LOVE this…can’t wait for part two….YOU see HIM in everything…and HE will use your heart, willingness, and vision to Let the Whole World know……..Blessings and Prayers as ever……..
Wow! What an amazing story! God is behind the scenes in so many ways that we are not even aware of, in so many creative ways; working from things so long ago to bless the today. Hope is a wonderful thing to have…
Again, thank you for trusting us with your journey. God bless you and your beautiful family.
This is not a coincidence, I agree. Your paintings look so beautiful on that wall. Maybe this happened to make you realize how important your art is. You keep writing, painting and taking photographs, and what you do really is important. Sometimes I read articles people have written about getting down to the real things in life, and I want to send them to this blog. It doesn’t get more real. (and very inspiering) Big hug
Allison, I think you are on to something. Are you familiar with the story of Esther? ‘for such a time as this’ Esther was placed by God in a series of circumstances that saved the Jewish people. The Jewish people celebrate this Festivial called Purim this very week! Read the account in Esther.
Love reading your blog.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. Looking forward to part II. Hope sometimes comes from the most unexpected places.
I was wondering if you might have the name of the church where your paintings are hanging?
Hi Janice. It’s called Lamb’s Fellowship, I think…in Lake Elsinore