Co-incidence, kismet, fate or serendipitous?
What do you call it when you unexpectedly meet someone you have a connection with in a far-away setting? Is it co- incidence (a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent casual connection); or kismet (the development of events beyond a person’s control); or possibly fate; (a predetermined or unavoidable destiny)? Take your pick.
To me I prefer to consider it serendipity (serendipity being an unsought, unintended, or unexpected, but fortunate, discovery or learning experience that happens by accident) I love the word and the outcome.
No matter which, many of us are surprised by these unexpected happenings. Over the years I’ve experienced several. I recall one such occasion while sitting on a beach in Barbados at Payne’s Bay, looking at the beautiful aqua-blue sea, a woman walking past approached me and exclaimed “Oh look, it’s the Cane Lady.”
We exchanged pleasantries. We had never met in person, but she lived in Cambridge and had obviously seen me. Another time when walking down a street in Innsbruck, Austria again “Hello Cane Lady” but at least this time I was walking with my cane, which is a clue, not lying on a beach.
The Weber’s from Cambridge were there for a hockey tournament, and we were headed to the same restaurant. Again, we had never met in person before but the adage “It’s a small world, isn’t it?” comes to mind.
In 2019, while on a cruise to the Amazon, the dentist I’d been to for 30 years until he moved out of Cambridge, was on the same cruise with his wife.
People in Cambridge travelled far and wide prior to COVID and now are starting to travel again. There are dozens of examples of such meetings, moments of serendipity. Many of us have experienced them, usually when travelling, but as common as it is, it always surprises me.
This year, while at a resort in Algonquin, a casual conversation in the dining room led to a friendship. We were exchanging emails with a couple from Kingston, Ont. who offered to send me a photo they had taken. Their names were Gary and Terri. While chatting, I found out they were avid sailors. They met when Gary came over from the United Kingdom for an international regatta. Terri was volunteering, they got along well and now live six months in the UK and six months in Kingston.
When Terri mentioned the e-mail would not be sent for a week due to her undergoing debilitating chemo treatments I said no worries we are in Prince Edward County next week. She looked interested, and eagerly asked where we were headed.
“Staying at my daughter's and son-in law's property in Waupoos, in a wi-fi free cabin,” I responded. Terri’s face lit up as she eagerly asked more questions regarding the acquisition of the property.
When I told her my son in law’s mother is a realtor, she asked her name. “Libby Crombie.”
Terri replied, “wow I know her, she sold my property there at Long Point over ten years ago.”
That serendipitous moment resulted in the following exchange: “When you are there, we could sail down from Kingston to Waupoos Marina and come to visit you. I’d love an excuse to revisit.”
Terri is a very optimistic vivacious woman who lives as full a life as possible on the non-treatment weeks. “If I’m not too tired we’ll book an overnight mooring,” she said.
We did not really expect this to happen, that is a lot of effort to go to, to visit two people you just met, especially after a week of chemo treatments. But it was a nice thought that they wished to try.
The week we were in Waupoos they did indeed e-mail us. Intending to set off early on Tuesday morning they hoped to arrive mid afternoon six hours later. They managed to book an overnight spot at the busy Waupoos marina. Once settled they’d call and invite us to join them for cocktails on board.
The weather conditions were not in their favour. A strong head wind coupled with a misbehaving motor meant for slow going. It wasn't until ten hours later that they arrived. We were flattered they persevered instead of returning home; true sailors.
We met, had cocktails on board, then decided we’d take them to dinner at a well-recommended restaurant nearby. It was unfortunately full and after finding other nearby eateries were full too, we knew our options were limited. I had a cooked ham in our cabin.
We drove our guests to Ali and Brad’s property just ten minutes away and with the ham in hand begged for any leftovers from their dinner.
They graciously welcomed all four of us and offered to share salads, roast veg, drinks and dessert.
Brad’s mum, Libby, the realtor, had come for dinner too so we joined the six of them and once she and Terri were reunited, they had fun catching up.
We had a lovely evening sitting at the picnic table on their deck looking out over the lake as the sun set. It was great way to celebrate new friendships.
We returned a contented Gary and Terri to their mooring and were delighted at how a chance comment when meeting in Algonquin had led to such a serendipitous moment.
I know I am far from the only one to which serendipity occurs. It happens to many others as well.
Such occasions can be mini celebrations. Think about moments you may have encountered them.
I wonder when my next one will be; perhaps in September when we take our first cruise in three years from Quebec to Boston via Newfoundland. We’ll see.
