People you meet along the way

This past Monday and Tuesday I was out of town attending a funeral for a cousin of mine that died last week very unexpectedly. And while the reason for my journey was very sad, much of it was actually truly joyous. I had the extreme pleasure of a road trip with my much-loved older sister and my one-year-old Luke who, as it turns out, is a marvelous traveler. It was wonderful reconnecting with aunts, uncles, cousins and of course, Grandma, even under such somber circumstances. It's impossible not to feel grateful for what I have been given in the light of such a loss.

An unexpected benefit of the trip was meeting a fascinating elderly gentleman who was working at the funeral home. We happened into light-hearted conversation that began with an off-handed reference to one of my favorite authors, Jane Austen, that it turned out, was a favorite of Jack's as well. We both found it refreshing to converse with someone else about Ms. Austen's work and her wonderful vocabulary and ability to weave a complicated story line into an easily appreciated tapestry. Our conversation went on to reveal that Jack himself was an author - though of a very different theme - automobile racing. It turned out that he is the friend of so many famous drivers, many of whom have stayed at his house while visiting the Twin City area. He related one story after another illuminating the very interesting lives of famous people but all the while I couldn't help but wonder if I wasn't in the presence of someone just as special. From his exploits following World War II as part of operations recovering lost aircraft in the deserts of Libya to being at the salt flats in Utah to witness history being made as record-breaking speeds were achieved made each of his tales more and more breathtaking. His demeanor was of total humility, which of course made him even more engaging, and I was most pleased to have had the opportunity to meet such a person at such a time.

I encourage you to search out opportunities for new discovery even at low times of life - maybe especially at life's low moments - as then they will be even more sweet.