Happy Happenstances

I want to let you all in on a not-so-secret: I’m a planner!

I love to think about the future and what it may hold. Contrary to my planning, the best happenstances have not been according to any of my plans.

So often I/we get ideas for our life: what our job will be, where we want to live, and when particular events will occur. Yes, I aim to move in the general directions following interests, but I never could have planned some of the best occurrences on my own, because I did not know they even existed.

Can you relate? What has happened in your life that you would not have been able to pick out or plan on your own?

As yet another year begins, I would like to reflect back on some unexpected blessings I’m glad have happened in my life over the past year and a half-

1.     I have a job that I love!

o   I had been declined 2 other full time corporate wellness jobs I had been interested in in Ohio.

o   I had missed out on the 2012 HealthCorps application while in Aus.. When I looked into applying for the following year, HealthCorps had re-opened the applications to hire 6 more coordinators in California.

o   I was offered a job in Northern California- in a town I had never heard of- was at the bottom of my preference list- and I could never have picked a better community and area to live! I love my job with HealthCorps and all of the people I have met working with the organization, and to top that off- I work with the most supportive high school staff that has doubled as my California family.

Olympia, Rachel, Tyler, Marissa, Precious and I at HealthCorps Highway to Health Health Fair.

Beautiful views of Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, and Mount Shasta during a hike in my new home.

My wonderful co-workers ready to enjoy a meal prepared during the final Teen Battle Chef Competition (My cooking club) 

2.     Gaining surrogate parents across the country

o   After moving across the country I could have been completely lost had it not been for Carol and Dean. They took me in as their own and helped me get connected with friends, a church, and a car repair shop. They also allowed me to tag along on weekend trips, introduced me to the school staff, fed me, let me live with them for 2 weeks, hosted my mom when she visited, and most importantly showed me love-friendship- and an instant family in a new distant place. Although I am technically an adult, it is comforting to know I have Carol and Dean to look out for me while the rest of my family is across the country.

From left to right: Brett, April, Jessica, Abby, Dean and Carol at my Homemade Italian dinner. What better company to enjoy a meal with!

3.     Creating so many new solid friendships

o   I am lucky to have had so many great fulfilling friendships throughout life, many lasting over 20 years! It never ceases to surprise me when new friends enter my life filling me up even more! I am blown away by the faith, ambitions, spirit, and dedication of the amazing friends I have made over the past year and a half (my healthcorps friends, Nicole, Abby, Joy and Jessica).

§  Instantly being greeted to Sacramento by Chrissy, Isa and Rachel and having a close knit group of friends during HealthCorps training- Olympia, Precious, Marissa, Tyler, and Kelly.

Left to right: Me, Tyler, Jessica, Chrissy, Olympia, Rachel, Joy,  Ken, and Luke. A mix of HealthCorps and friends out for my Birthday dinner. 

§  Connecting with Joy who in addition to being a co-worker at the high school has been like a big sister- connecting me with a church and probably 90% of my friends.

§  Meeting Abby- A co-workers daughter- We became instant friends and companions when both of us felt lost and lonely (She had just returned from a year working in China and I 6 months in Aus. And in a new place)- over the past year we helped support and rebuild. We’ve spent countless weekends at coffee shops and going on little adventures.

Abby and I at Vintners Wine Cellar

§  Meeting Jessica. Jessica is the type of person you feel excited and uplifted around- she has a way of making you feel like whatever you are saying is important. After a couple of months of looking for a roommate (which lead to meeting some characters) to fill the extra bedroom in my apartment to lighten my bills, Jessica invited me to move in with her. We have been roommates for the past year. Our friendship is so quirky and fun with- Grill nights, holiday celebrations a month late (to take advantage of sales), and lots of crafting! I don’t have to pretend around her- when we ask about each others day’s the response isn’t always “good” in an upbeat tone, but real, raw, and true. She inspires me every day with her faith.

Jess, Abby and I- watching a whale swim off of shore during a trip to the Coast.

Summit of Lassen with Jess and Nicole

4.     Meeting Brett

o   After a few years of being resistant to commitment, getting tied to anything-anywhere- or anyone, and all of that jazz this one finally cracked me. He came out of nowhere. Well actually he came up from behind me in a race. Two days after I had returned from Ohio for the summer I met Brett- I was exhausted and planning not to go, but thought eh why not! After bumping into each other at another race and the lake, he invited me to go on a hike. An hour car ride and 4 hour hike that could have been extremely awkward- was a blast. Almost freaky how much we had in common- we’re both originally from Ohio, were Christian, were blessed with amazing families, had played soccer growing up and 1 year in college, had run a marathon, loved hiking-swimming-biking- anything and everything outdoors, had lived abroad and loved to travel, enjoyed a good craft beer, and that doesn’t even crack into our personalities… but what I like the most is he can put up with my oddities (he has his own), strange dance moves, and when I get HANGRY (angry when I’m hungry). I never could have predicted a good looking blue eyed, big dimple, blond would race into my life… but I’m sure glad he did J

Top Left: Our first date/hike at Castle Crags. Top Right: I'm not so sure how it would work out if he wasn't a Buckeye fan…thank goodness he is! Bottom: Backpacking in the Trinity Alps.

It’s a beautiful thing to give up control once in a while. I will not stop planning and dreaming for the future, but I’m learning to be resilient and accepting when my plan isn’t the best or right plan. Boy, is that hard!

My Challenge for you: It’s easy to underestimate the power of simple thoughtful gestures, hospitality and wonderful people. I feel blessed to have met such amazing people over the past year. I hope I can someday pay forward all they have done for me to someone else. Who is someone who has kept you afloat in a potentially lonely situation? Is there someone you could take under your wing and make a difference in?