Every so often something happens that astonishes us with the coincidence of it all and causes us to look at each other and say "It's a small world!". And indeed it is. My most recent example of this took place two weeks ago and I'm still amazed by it. Here's what happened:
Sunday morning a couple walked in and sat across the church from me. They were visitors as far as I could tell - they didn't look familiar at all. Following worship there was an ice cream social
happening in the church fellowship hall and by the time we got over there most tables were full but I spotted my daughter at a table in the corner and we wandered over to get seats with them. I offered to sit with my son's three-month-old while everyone else went up to get their ice cream and they all gladly left me there with the little one. While I was cooing and playing with her I noticed this couple working their way through the tables until they were just by me so, although I knew there weren't enough seats for all of us I invited them to sit and join us. After all, they were guests and I wanted them to feel welcome!
They smiled and sat and we began the normal conversation revolving around our children and grandchildren. I learned that they were from Greenwich CT and had come to East Hampton to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary with a nice long weekend. Soon she asked me about my daughter who did not live in East Hampton and I mentioned she lived in Pennsylvania. "Where in Pennsylvania" she asked and I hesitated because most people are not familiar enough with the area around their home to know where it is. So I started with a nearby town which is well known for its gardens. "Yes - I know where that is!" she smiled. Then she went on to tell me that her daughter's family attend church in that town and I asked if it happened to be the Willowdale Chapel where my daughter's family attends. It was!
Now I ask you, what are the chances that these strangers happen to: 1. Choose our church to attend on a Sunday morning in East Hampton 2. Happen to decide to attend the ice cream social even though they know no one at this church 3. Get their ice cream and work their way all the way to the complete opposite end of the room to where we are sitting? And then we find out that our daughters in all probability know each other (they in fact do!). Perhaps we've even attended the church in Pennsylvania on the same day since we both agreed we've been there many times.
Honestly! What a small world!
Sunday morning a couple walked in and sat across the church from me. They were visitors as far as I could tell - they didn't look familiar at all. Following worship there was an ice cream social
happening in the church fellowship hall and by the time we got over there most tables were full but I spotted my daughter at a table in the corner and we wandered over to get seats with them. I offered to sit with my son's three-month-old while everyone else went up to get their ice cream and they all gladly left me there with the little one. While I was cooing and playing with her I noticed this couple working their way through the tables until they were just by me so, although I knew there weren't enough seats for all of us I invited them to sit and join us. After all, they were guests and I wanted them to feel welcome!They smiled and sat and we began the normal conversation revolving around our children and grandchildren. I learned that they were from Greenwich CT and had come to East Hampton to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary with a nice long weekend. Soon she asked me about my daughter who did not live in East Hampton and I mentioned she lived in Pennsylvania. "Where in Pennsylvania" she asked and I hesitated because most people are not familiar enough with the area around their home to know where it is. So I started with a nearby town which is well known for its gardens. "Yes - I know where that is!" she smiled. Then she went on to tell me that her daughter's family attend church in that town and I asked if it happened to be the Willowdale Chapel where my daughter's family attends. It was!
Now I ask you, what are the chances that these strangers happen to: 1. Choose our church to attend on a Sunday morning in East Hampton 2. Happen to decide to attend the ice cream social even though they know no one at this church 3. Get their ice cream and work their way all the way to the complete opposite end of the room to where we are sitting? And then we find out that our daughters in all probability know each other (they in fact do!). Perhaps we've even attended the church in Pennsylvania on the same day since we both agreed we've been there many times.
Honestly! What a small world!
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