Thursday, May 12, 2016

On Being Divinely Guided and Protected




We lingered at the table as our lunch dishes were cleared, getting to know each other and sharing a bit about what had prompted us to embark upon an exotic trip to Mexico for a yoga retreat. Each of us carried a story – a little burden that we hoped to release, even if only for the duration of our week-long retreat.
One friend shared that her husband is battling Alzheimer’s. The lengths she had to go through to arrange care for him during her absence had fallen into place, and this week would be a way for her to refresh her spirit and renew her strength for their continued journey.
My mom’s birthday fell at the end of that week, so I shared that she was on my mind and in my heart. I expressed my desire to heal from the guilt I carry where she’s concerned, and I vowed to be more conscious and loving when I speak of my history with her.
And there was another friend. She looked me directly in the eye and said, “You know what I did, right?” She asked with such conviction, as if to set the stage for her condemnation before I even knew her story. And no, I did not know. So she told us.
She’s a busy young mother with four children, juggling all the activities and responsibilities that come with that. A couple of years ago, after a hectic morning, she stopped at the grocery store for a major shopping trip, preparing for a large dinner party she and her husband would be hosting that evening. About 45 minutes later, she was approached by a police officer inside the store and he asked if she drove a certain type of vehicle, with a toddler in the car.
Her entire universe came crumbling down. She had forgotten that she had her baby with her, and had left him in the car.
Fortunately for this young mom, her oversight happened in agreeable weather and her baby was ok. Had this happened in the heat of summer, the outcome would have been even more devastating.
Now, living in Arizona this sort of thing happens from time to time, and I’ll admit right here that I have never understood how. My judgments and superior attitude toward this type of thing have kept me from ever feeling much compassion for a mother who would make a mistake like that.
But here was my new friend – my yoga friend – exposing her broken heart to us at the beginning of our retreat. The shame and guilt and horror of what she had done seemed embedded into her entire being. She spoke in self-loathing phrases, without one trace of compassion or forgiveness for her mistake. Clearly, the mistake of her lifetime.
Alone in my room later that night, I recalled a time when I had arrived at my local grocery store. As I parked my car I noticed a fire truck and paramedics gathered around a vehicle. They were pulling a crying toddler out of the car.
As I walked toward the store entrance, a frantic young mother came rushing out with a police officer by her side. For whatever reason, I grabbed her and gave her a tight hug. I told her, “Your baby is ok. Everything is going to be ok.” She clung to me briefly, and then pushed me away to be with her child.
Over the past couple of years I’ve thought about that young mom, and have even slightly ridiculed myself for stopping her in her tracks, almost forcing her to receive a hug from a complete stranger and delaying her reunion with her distressed child. What on earth possessed me to do that?
And then I wondered. Could that frightened young mother have been my new yoga friend? What were the odds that in this big city we live in…? Could that have been her that I hugged?
The following day we toured Mayan ruins, had a picnic lunch in the jungle, floated down a lazy river, and enjoyed wine and cheese together with our group. The question burned inside of me and I hated to bring it up again, but I finally mustered the courage to ask, “What store were you at when you forgot your baby in the car?”
Her answer confirmed what I already knew in my heart. It was the same store I’d been at, and the same timeframe. I asked if she remembered being hugged by a stranger when she came out of the store with the police officer. Her eyes widened with curiosity. How could I know that? She did remember. That stranger was me!
This time our hug lasted longer. This time there was love, compassion and understanding between us. We had shared a moment in time that had been so raw and personal – a moment in time before we ever knew we’d eventually call ourselves friends.
What an amazing reminder that something greater than all of us provides for us in our darkest times. I believe that we are always divinely guided and protected, and occasionally we are called upon to guide and protect.

What on earth would have possessed me to hug a distraught young mother I didn’t know?
What, on Earth, indeed.
PS: Please, will you do me a favor? Will you lift a prayer for my friend, surround her in love and compassion, and pray that she will find a way to forgive herself for her mistake. Will you take a moment to acknowledge someone you may have judged in the past for a mistake they've made, and know that they are so much harder on themselves that we can ever be. And if you choose to leave a comment here on my blog, or on Facebook, will you please do so with love and compassion for my friend. I'd be so grateful.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Deb, this had me in tears reading this incredible story! What an amazing coincidence that you two were brought together again. I think there was definitely a devine intervention that brought you together to help her heal.

Becky said...

Oh Deb. - I have tears in my eyes. What a wonderful coincidence and that poor mother. Such an easy mistake to make and yet one which one would feel guilty over for so long. I do hope that she can forgive herself. I too believe that there was a reason you were brought together on your retreat. Be compassionate to yourselves - everybody deserves that.

Unknown said...

No eloquent words just very grateful to have read this amazing story and be reminded once again that there is something going on that we don't know about with everyone, and not to judge them. She was a lucking woman to run into you that day!

Karen said...

I've enjoyed all your posts from this amazing trip, but this story just broke my heart. What a terrible burden to be carrying around, but how very fortunate she was to have found you---not once, but twice. In my prayers, for sure.

Ruth said...

So now I feel tearful. Deep breath. I can't imagine the guilt your new friend has been living with for so long, but how wonderful that a) she felt able to share her story and b) that you are the link that completes the circle for her.
Also, about Marti ... she knew how much you loved her and what a wonderful daughter you were. Funny that as I type this, I'll admit to worrying about not having been a better daughter ...
Sending you and your new friend a huge hug each.

debs14 said...

Oh my goodness Deb, what a coincidence! Fate is truly amazing isn't it? Now, here's a story for your friend, when my sister was a baby, it was not unusual for mums to leave babies in prams outside the shops when they went shopping. Shops were smaller and prams much larger in the 1950s! So at the time my mum had a new baby (my sister) and also had her 90 year old grandmother living with her. One day she was walking home from the shops, not wanting to leave her grandmother at home on her own for long, and a neighbour stopped her and said 'oh, who's looking after Gillian for you?' At which point she realised shed walked home and left her in her pram outside the shop!

Patio Postcards said...

This is such an amazing story. I believe with all my heart that we are connected through our energy. I am so glad that The Universe has allowed your two hearts to connect in such a healing & loving way. Of course I will send up lots of healing, loving & forgiving energy thoughts to your friend. We all have so many things to forgive ourselves for, we are human & thankfully our souls know it however deeply it is buried.

Now I need to go blow my nose from the ugly cry...

Audrey said...

Oh my gosh, I am crying like a baby. This story just confirms everything that I already know. I cannot even believe how much I LOVE this story! Really, it's quite amazing! I've heard of similar things happening to so many parents. It doesn't make one any less of a mother/father. I have a VERY similar story and would love to share it sometime. I was just thinking, "Deb is lucky I don't have her phone number or I'd be calling her right this second!".

Sian said...

Truly an amazingly wonderful story. Sometimes the world can seem like a very small place

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