How to See Value in the Random – Circles and Intersections

While attending a monthly meeting of my local chapter of Women in Aviation, I was introduced to a gentleman who works for Flight Safety international.  I recognized his name and asked him if he was related to a certain person with whom I had attended high school.  It turned out he is her brother!  Random, “by chance” events, or are they?

As it goes in small town scenarios, I  identified myself as the oldest daughter of Paul Hancock which caused a thousand pieces of history to snap into place between us without explanation.  The gentleman then told me it was my father who had given him his first airplane ride as a boy.  That ride took place from the small grass airstrip, just outside our hometown of Plainville, KS, in the very airplane I fly today, Aircoupe, N3052G.  It was there he got his first taste of aviation.  He went onto fly P-3s for the US Navy, followed by several civilian positions flight instructing before joining Flight Safety International.  Wow, what a small world.

The Value of The Random

In my BLOG post,  Becoming a Lover of History, I alluded to “intersections and circles of history” that form a backdrop to our lives.  This backdrop not only occurs in the grand scheme of things, but also in very personal ways.  They are there.  Yes they are. Yet, honing our vision to not only recognize their presence, but then to discern their significance for today can serve to strengthen the purpose and vision of the personal Stonebridge upon which we walk.  So when these happenstances occur, what do we do?

 Enjoy the wonder of the moment.  As a person of faith, I inwardly acknowledge the providence of God in the matter and give thanks.

 

In the case of this meeting, I will be getting together with this gentleman to talk more about his first ride which, I am sure, will lead to other stories.   This “random” circle and intersection touched on at least two of the stones in my Stonebridge:  Family and Flying.  Because of how I have learned to process these moments, it also touches on Faith.  These random events have value, but I suspect most of the time, for a myriad of reasons, we let them pass by.  Begin to take note, and follow-up.   It will be fun.