Fate?
Has anyone ever noted a "focal point" in their lives? This is a moment in time, when something seemingly innocuous happened that changed the direction of your life?
I have often thought of a particular incident in my life.
I was fifteen years old and I had left school (my parents couldn't afford to pay for further education). After four months without any prospect of a job, my cousin suggested I meet with her one day in the city. She could take me around to various businesses to see if there were any jobs available.
My father took me to my aunt and uncle's house on the Sunday, and I stayed the night with them. They lived quite close to the railway station. My cousin had already left for work earlier in the morning. I had slept a little later than I should have, so I reached the station just as the train was pulling out.
I sat on the station to wait the 20 minutes or so for the next train to arrive. I heard a voice call my name. I looked up to see my father standing there. He called out to me, asking if I was still looking for a job! Of course! He said I'd better come with him, because I had an interview that same afternoon!
Apparently he had spoken to one of his friends some time before, who worked at a timber company, saying I'd not had any luck finding a job. They didn't have anything available at the time. However, when a job did become available, this person drove the 6 miles to our house to ask if I would attend an interview that afternoon (we didn't have a phone). If I couldn't come, there was someone else they had in mind. Of course, I wasn't at home, was I? My father had to travel about 10 miles to catch me. When he got to my aunt and uncle's place, I'd already left for the station.
Anyway, I went to the interview and got the job. It lasted 11-1/2 years.
What does this have to do with fate?
A friend I made when I was at that job was with me five years later when I met my future husband. Everything follows from that.
I owe my 30-year marriage, two sons, our home and so much more to a day I slept in and missed a train!
I have often thought of a particular incident in my life.
I was fifteen years old and I had left school (my parents couldn't afford to pay for further education). After four months without any prospect of a job, my cousin suggested I meet with her one day in the city. She could take me around to various businesses to see if there were any jobs available.
My father took me to my aunt and uncle's house on the Sunday, and I stayed the night with them. They lived quite close to the railway station. My cousin had already left for work earlier in the morning. I had slept a little later than I should have, so I reached the station just as the train was pulling out.
I sat on the station to wait the 20 minutes or so for the next train to arrive. I heard a voice call my name. I looked up to see my father standing there. He called out to me, asking if I was still looking for a job! Of course! He said I'd better come with him, because I had an interview that same afternoon!
Apparently he had spoken to one of his friends some time before, who worked at a timber company, saying I'd not had any luck finding a job. They didn't have anything available at the time. However, when a job did become available, this person drove the 6 miles to our house to ask if I would attend an interview that afternoon (we didn't have a phone). If I couldn't come, there was someone else they had in mind. Of course, I wasn't at home, was I? My father had to travel about 10 miles to catch me. When he got to my aunt and uncle's place, I'd already left for the station.
Anyway, I went to the interview and got the job. It lasted 11-1/2 years.
What does this have to do with fate?
A friend I made when I was at that job was with me five years later when I met my future husband. Everything follows from that.
I owe my 30-year marriage, two sons, our home and so much more to a day I slept in and missed a train!