MY NEW YEAR’S EXPERIENCE – 2

The Morning of New Year’s Eve

Nothing prompted me that this day would end like none other that I have experienced. It is possible that I did not see the signs in front of my face. I say ‘possible’ because, though I endeavor to maintain a high level of spirituality, I am not so arrogant to place myself above human frailties and errors.

Morning began as it usually does for me, in a room separate from the rest of our modest 3-bedroom home, praying and meditating and writing. I’ve been doing this for over 5 years, ever since I came across the writings of James Padgett, a lawyer who lived in the early 20th century in Washington (D.C.), and who at the age of 62 began to receive spirit communications from Jesus and others in the spirit world. Reading messages said to be from Jesus and other spirits in the world unseen is not something that appeals to everyone; that’s probably why the name James Padgett is not well known.

In my writings this morning I mentioned how I feel that December 2011 will go down as a major turning point in our family history. December began on a low note. Early December began in a cloud looming over us bearing financial disaster. Our troubles had been brewing and growing for a number of years, not unlike similar situations of hundreds of other families and individuals across America. But something happened in December that we like to call our Miracle Christmas. Several friends in different parts of the globe heard of our plight and sent gifts that defied our imagination. All but a small portion of their gifts went to pay creditors and outstanding debts, but a little went to purchase a few holiday presents. The gratitude and appreciation that I and my family experienced continued throughout the month.

Later the same morning

The next day (New Year’s Day) most stores would be closed and we needed supplies for the new school week that would begin on Monday. I went to purchase groceries and many other people had the same agenda; it was packed. I selected a cart and began walking what has almost become a set routine. I begin in the fresh vegetable department, and then proceed up and down aisles in succession. When you do your shopping are you more orientated to people or items on your list; or both? I am the latter sort. No sooner did I begin looking in the vegetable bins, that a woman nearby caught my eye. Did see look in my direction first? Or did I? It was only a brief contact. I assume she did the same, but I continued looking at the display of broccoli. The next aisle I saw her again. There were many other people walking up and down aisles; I saw each one, but not with the same kind of attention as this woman. After the 3rd aisle and the 4th, where our chance meeting happened again, I began to entertain the thought that I had met her before. But I don’t think so. “Was she following me?” I wondered. Meeting her happened several more times; then it was time for me to stop and go through checkout.

I chose a cashier that I like; she is super friendly and very conversational. There was only one other customer in line, and he had a light load in his basket. He was dressed in athletic shoes and shorts and T-shirt, probably stopping to shop on his way home from the gym. At first I thought he was speaking to me, but it was the person behind me, the same woman that I saw numerous times around the store. They began to chat about injured shoulders, and asking one another about their progress in healing these injuries. I interjected and offered the woman the opportunity to walk ahead of me. She laughed and said that would not be necessary. The man continued, and suggested that he may need to have surgery. After a few more words between the two, he was done at the checkout and bade goodbye to his friend.

I asked the stranger, “You two did not happen to be talking about rotary cuffs?” She said yes, and then we began to talk. I had injured my shoulders working too hard moving dirt at our home over one year ago. I briefly told her this, and explaining how my doctor prescribed a certain drug, which I took for only a short time. I felt that it was only covering symptoms, and not really helping me to heal. She listened attentively, and suggested that I had done the right thing when I quit the drugs. As I said goodbye to her, she encouraged me to continue to expect a full recovery.

Other than to buy a few necessities at the grocery store is the presence of the woman, a stranger, why I really went shopping when I did? I carried this thought with me as packed the groceries in the car and drove home.

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To be continued -