Last year, I lost a sweet friend. She was someone who believed wholeheartedly in the power of the coincidence. In fact, she often commented on coincidental events that occurred in her life. It did seem like she had a lot of them, but as I was thinking about her this morning I wondered if she did have more coincidences occur than the average person or if she was simply more open to them than the rest of us are.
Yesterday, as I was getting ready to board a ferry that would take me away from New York State, the world of my youth, and back into New England, the world of my adulthood, a song came on the radio. It was the song “Dust in the Wind,” by Kansas. This is notable because it was a song I dearly loved in 1978-1979 which is when I met my dear friends who attended my reading at my undergraduate alma mater, SUNY Plattsburgh, on Tuesday night. To me, hearing that song felt like a coincidence, a sign. An indication, that I was traveling once again from my childhood to my adulthood. Later, after I had left the ferry, another song came on. That song was “Heaven” by Brian Adams. Again, this song is significant because it was the song I sang over and over until we remembered the words with that same group of friends. Indeed, it was the song we chose for our prom theme. The coincidence felt important to me and I cried.
I left on a trip worrying about the outcome. I came home from a trip grateful for all of the people who have stood beside me in my life, bringing me to this moment of satisfaction and pride. You are standing beside me and I beside you. Once we are connected, that connection never leaves.
What it is is this: you are not alone in this world. There are people who have been there with you throughout your life, watching you grow, inspiring you, teaching you, bringing you up. There are people who knew who you were and who have witnessed the adult you’ve become, but inside you still is that child open to possibility, able to believe that a seemingly simple coincidence has significance.
*** disclaimer: brace yourself for this video as it is v. 1970s. ***
myfanwy collins 
Beautiful post. I love how music can melt our years away. I saw your title, and suddenly, I was eighteen again, thin, hopeful and happy. Many thanks again.
Thanks, Pam! Isn’t it so funny about that, though? I feel the same way.
This is so very moving, Myf. Thanks for posting. And thanks for finding that video! xo
Thank you so much, Ellen!
I had a similar experience recently. Mine was hearing “Let it Be” and realizing that I needed to surrender to what is and not wish for what could have been.
I love that, Mary! What a perfect response to the song.