New York holds a special place in my heart.  It was at the Royalton Hotel where I heard angelic voices above me while showering in the bathroom.  It was also on the sidewalk of 57th street where I fell and sprained my ankle because I was busy looking up while walking just like Annette Benning did in the movie Love Affair. 

The oddest, yet most significant encounter happened at Sophia’s on 46th Street.   My sister and I were chatting over wine and pizza.  It was a crowded night and the noise level was quite high.  Just as we stood up to leave the restaurant, a gentleman in a business suit came up to me, held me back from leaving and said…

“Things happen in your life for a reason, you may not understand the circumstances now but in time, you will see why these events have taken place in your life.” 

At that time I was in turmoil.  I was at a very low point in my life feeling the pressure of decisions I needed to make for myself.  It took no more than a minute for the gentleman to lean over and speak to me, leaving me dumbfounded and stunned.  Despite the noise and music blaring, I heard him loud and clear.  There was warmness to his message despite the chilly evening.

My sister who was standing by the exit door watched the encounter and wondered what was going on.  When I finally made my way out, I was shaking with relief!  Extraordinary as that moment was I felt an unexplainable knowing and assurance that the path I was about to take on in my life would be the right one.

 “What was that all about?” my sister asked.  I was speechless.  I couldn’t open my mouth and explain to her what had just taken place.  I needed to internalize the gentleman’s words.  I felt it was precious advise that I needed to remember until I got home to write it down.  The taxi ride back was dead silent.   I went straight to bed wrote down the words as I remember them and went to sleep.

A decade later, I know now what the significance of that moment meant for me in my life’s journey.  I never questioned that encounter.  A part of me just knew that in time, my pain and sorrows would all make sense.

I think about that human angel with gratitude for assuring me that I would find my way back home to myself.