When I look back at my life, I remember the extraordinary times when I knew, with every cell of my being, that there was a higher force at work guiding me. I bow down to these significant landmarks in my life’s journey when the stars aligned, and the impact on me was both inspirational and humbling at the same time. Not long ago, I had such a gift from the universe, where I was in the right place at the right time, and it brought an unexpected and uplifting surprise that filled me with emotion! When the stars align, the Goddess bows down with gratitude and appreciation.
Many years ago, Bruce and I were making the five-hour journey along 401 Hwy. from Ottawa to Toronto. There are many service stations along the way that could meet our needs, but suddenly I had a strong, intuitive desire to stop at the next one. At times, it is a mystery to me how everything comes together when I listen to my intuition; like an alignment with the divine plan. Inside the service station, as I was waiting in a lineup, I was surprised to find my cousin, Suzanne, standing in front of me! What were the chances? It had been many years since we had crossed paths!
While growing up, we would spend summer holidays with our cousins. Each year, Mom would load us into the station wagon and drive from Kitchener to Ottawa, excited to take us to visit her sister! How we loved our summer tradition filled with so many wonderful adventures with our cousins, Suzanne and her younger brothers George, Eddie and Marcel. With great admiration, I had always looked up to my older cousin Suzanne, and when she turned sixteen, I remember hanging on to her every word, hoping to learn about being a teenager! Because we lived so far apart, as we got older and busy with our own lives, it got harder to get together, and we drifted apart. When Suzanne got married and moved away to a small town to raise her family, over time, we lost touch.
On this day of our reunion, our joy was evident as we walked arm in arm to find our husbands in the service centre. We sat together and shared a mountain of stories catching up on each other’s lives. I loved how Suzanne laughed with her whole heart and her eyes sparkled as usual. Our elation suddenly fell into sadness, as my beautiful cousin told us that they were travelling home from visiting her mom and dad in Ottawa where she had shared her heartbreaking news … Suzanne had stage 4 cancer. The rest of our visit was full of tearful words of hope. I believe, it was not a coincidence that day, but divine guidance, that brought us together one last time. I never saw my cousin Suzanne again, as she passed away soon after.
Every time I travel the 401 to Ottawa, I remember the day that the stars aligned and I spent one last precious time with Suzanne. I know that we could have stopped at any service station, but intuitively I had been directed to stop at this one. I feel so blessed that Suzanne and I were gifted one last time together. As this memory rushes back to me, I allow myself to feel it deeply. That moment and this moment line up and I remember the happiness Suzanne and I felt during our chance meeting, and then how the fear took over when she shared her sad news. I have tears of sadness and joy while writing this piece. When my grief of losing her overwhelms me, I allow my tears to release the pain and sorrow of what Suzanne must have gone through. Experiencing another layer of grief turns me inside and out, but it allows me to process the memory and heal it. I can then permit my heart to connect with the love we shared.
As we go about our day-to-day lives, we have an inner guidance system that continues to direct us favourably, like a personal road map designed just for us. When we listen to our intuition, that soft, inner voice that feels right, we can have the confidence that we are on the right track for our souls’ evolution. Staying present in the moment keeps us open to the possibilities that will serve our higher selves. I love feeling my alignment with the divine plan. It can be as simple and as precious as being in the right place at the right time or as meaningful as a twist of fate that changes us forever. We just have to learn how to tap into our intuition and then have the courage to act on those whispers of guidance.
I am sure you have had experiences that have been extraordinary coincidences in your life. Like a miracle, they stay with us forever. Take some time to write these stories down in your journal or share them with a friend. Perhaps, like me, you will be amazed, as the memories come back to you, how your emotions will rise up, ready to be acknowledged and released. Discovering our hidden emotional memories, that are buried deep inside, can be wonderfully freeing. This powerful exercise can make you feel very special about the times in your life when the stars aligned, just for you!
