Wouldn't you know it?
Put forth a fairly snarky epistle about beliefs, ponder whether there is a bigger plan for us, shy away from considering whether there actually is an all seeing, all knowing Being and then…
An omen.
A zillion years ago, in a moment of abject curiosity I agreed to go see a friend's psychic. "Why not," she cajoled. "Why not?" I countered. "The fact that I catergorically, absolutely, positively don't believe in this concept is in direct conflict with what if he says something really meaningful and profound?" "Get over yourself" was her wise counsel.
So there I found myself with Central Casting Psychic. Long caftan, shaved head, a meaningful relationship with Navajo jewelry. He, clearly, took the chic part of psy chic very seriously. Understand this was not your neighborhood storefront variety. This was a hip and trendy upper west side Manhattan locale. 15th floor with a panoramic view of the Park. Either business was very good, and/or he really could foretell the future reaping the benefit of that from the ponies, Vegas or the stock market. Perhaps he just married well.
So, then what?
Not telling.
But yesterday, in the mail, came a card from him. "Now, it said, is the time to express our personal, spiritual, and creative power." "Our", I thought, is that an invitation to join him on the road to fame and fortune? Is this the royal "our"? Is there such a thing as the royal "our" or is only reserved for the royal "we"? Could I use more quotation marks?
Suffice it to say that I didn't throw the card away. He'd know.
2 Responses
A number of years ago, I worked with a wonderful woman and friend, Lisa Ngai. Earlier this month, she died, just shy of her 48th birthday. On Monday there was a memorial for her, where I was joined by Matt, a friend of mine with whom she was most recently working, and two friends Tungi and John, with whom we all worked those many years agon.
After the memorial, and drinks at Toad Hall, we decided to go to dinner. Matt and I whipped out our respective mobile technology and raced to see who could find the closest thai eatery, our food genre of choice for the evening. John and Tungi, who were in deep discussion, just followed along as we led the way to the place that was suggested by our toys. As we arrived at the restaurant, John looks up and asks me if I chose this place on purpose. I said no, that we got the suggestion from our devices.
Lisa Ngai was a wonderful, fun, caring woman, who among her many talents was a foodie to the core and loved introducing people to many of her favorite restaurents. We would typically decide on “who’s people’s food” we would be eating that day. If it was her people’s food, we were looking for Chinese, John’s – Italian, and mine – Jew Food. Once the genre of food was decided, Lisa would take us to great places all over the city.
We worked in midtown on the east side. Monday night we found ourselves somewhere down deep on the west side either in northern Tribecca.
In front of the restaurant, John asks me again if I am sure I didn’t pick this restaurant for a purpose. After I reiterate that I did not, he informs me that Lisa took John, Tungi and I to this restaurant for her birthday many years ago.
We were not anywhere near where we worked, there are thousands of restaurants in Manhattan, and yet we ended up at a place only Lisa had once led us to when we were looking for a place to celebrate her life and mourn her passing.
I am not religious. I do not believe in the supernatural. I am more atheist than agnostic. But this was just plain unlikely (just plain weird, actually).
So, be snarky, doubt religion. I do. For thousands of years, man thought the world was flat, until it was proved round. But honestly, did it matter if the world was round if you weren’t going to sail around it. If there is a god, than I hope to meet her when I plan to take the journey. Until then, if it is important, hopefully, she will contact me.
Thank for posting this – Lisa was one of my closest friends ever….and a year later – I’m still reeling from losing her. And sometimes – I just have to go on these idiotic searches – hoping to find some evidence that she’s still here. I really appreciate this post – the last paragraph captures my own thoughts so perfectly – thank you.