Divine Intervention
I apologize in advance. This may turn out to be my longest story ever…
Months ago, I "re-gifted" a German version of the game Monopoly to Goodwill. Not worth the effort to try an sell it online, and I couldn't think of anyone who would want it. Until I found out (via my son) that Quinn (L) loves Monopoly, and her grandmother, Evelyn, was born and raised in Germany. She always had a VERY close relationship with her grandmother, and her German heritage.
Let's just say I've been searching in Goodwills since then looking for it. I screwed up bad.
Quinn's grandmother passed away earlier this week. It has been a very trying time for the whole family. No matter how much they were "expecting" it, it is still painful when someone you love so dearly passes.
I paid my respects yesterday at her wake. On my way home, I had to stop at Goodwill to try and find a coat (divorce can put a damper on your finances). No coat, but Alex had always told me to be on the lookout for a board game from the "Catan" series that they both love to play. He told me I most likely would not find one, because they are fairly uncommon and fairly expensive.
Someone upstairs said yesterday "You need a sign." There, on the game shelf at Goodwill, with a $2 price tag on it, was the German version of "Settlers of Catan". A 20 year old game that was practically brand new. Sometimes things just happen that make you think "This is not just random chance."
I gave Quinn and Alex the game today, as I know it was meant for them. I was just the delivery boy.
They have had a very draining week, both physically and emotionally. I'm sure the last thing they wanted to do was pose for one of my portraits where I tell them "Don't smile." This is one of the pictures that I will cherish forever because I will know all the memories that go along with it. These are the kind of pictures that make me so glad that I do what I do.
I told you it was a long story.