Did you ever have something happen to you that absolutely defied all odds and just seemed basically incredible? I have experienced this a few times, and it's always startling. Makes the most logical person scratch their head, because it is just magic.
Two weeks ago, after a long day at work, I popped into the thrift store. They always have a shelf of trinkets right inside the door -- they have Christmas stuff on it all year around, as well as other little do-dads and statuettes and such.
The moment I looked at the shelf I saw her:
EXHIBIT A: THE ODDS ARE PHENOMENAL
This is a Lefton birthday angel ca. 1966. I have never seen anything ceramic of this vintage in the thrift store before. And of course, March is my birthday month.
It gets better.
You see, I actually had a birthday angel like this, had her for decades in fact.
I gave her away as part of a fundraiser to save Terrapin Run.
Only my oldest of old-timers will remember how a rural community in Western Maryland had to pay a land-use lawyer to fight a developer who wanted to build housing for 11,000 people alongside a little Tier I stream called Terrapin Run. While the lawyer supported our cause, he needed to eat. So the little consortium to save the stream had all kinds of auctions and such to pay the lawyer bills. I sent them jewelry, and I sent them my little March angel I had owned since I was a kid. Had tears in my eyes when I turned her over.
In addition to giving what I could to the fundraising, I worked magic along the bank of Terrapin Run. For years. The Goddess I petitioned was Venus Cloacina, the Roman Goddess of the sewers. I figured if any deity would object to a crystal clear stream being turned into a wastewater dumping ground, it would be Cloacina.
Developers almost always win these battles. But this developer didn't. He lost like an egg-sucking dog and limped his saggy, broke-ass butt back to Washington, DC.
Ever since then I have thanked Cloacina whenever I visit that area, because I truly believe She answered my prayers.
Back to the present: What are the vast odds of finding a 50-year-old ceramic angel, exactly like the one I donated, just sitting on the shelf at the thrift store I visit twice a month? (By the way, she cost me $3.50.)
It gets better.
I had been waiting six weeks to hear from the attorney in Bedford who was handling my purchase of a property in the land of my ancestors. Not two days after bringing home the March angel, the documents and paperwork arrived in my email.
I am as scientific as the next guy, but that angel was nothing but an omen. Sent by Cloacina.
Don't pish tosh me now, reader. Terrapin Run is less than 10 miles from the property.
Which is now my property. It has closed.
I have land. And a Goddess. Bless them both.
6 comments:
I love a story like that! I'm so happy for you and the magic :)
I would never pish tosh this story! Cloacina brought your March Angel home to you again, just in time for your new landowner status to begin near Terrapin Run! SO HAPPY FOR YOU! The Goddess has spoken to you in no uncertain terms!
Lovely birthday angel. I have a Lefton birthday girl also - have had it since I was very young. And, who knows, perhaps that's YOUR angel come back to you again!
that made me weep...never underestimate the works of the goddesses.
The signs are there to be read and you are a READER!
I love this post whole-heartedly. Congratulations on the property. I hope we will get to see you camping on it this summer.
This magical true story is wonderful! Congratulations!
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