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Mysterious Ways

That's how God moves!
Three years ago, my life was quite literally falling apart!  I was jobless, in poor health, healing from a devastating recent breakup, grieving the unexpected *even more* recent death of my Mom, and being asked to move out of the home in which I was staying temporarily with my ex and the woman with which she committed adultery.  (I mean we were ONLY together 5 years)
As more of a joke than anything, I applied for a job with a global child care as an infant teacher. Comprehensive medical benefits, respectable wages, and getting paid for one of my very favorite things to do in the world?  Haha.. as IF!  2 days later I was being interviewed!  In the second part of the interview I was asked to join the infant class so that I could be observed in the environment for which the position was being filled.  Upon walking into the room, there were 2 small precious newborns lying on the floor, and 4 or 5 other infants mulling about.  I was introduced to the newborns first. Alyce (pronounced Alice, the name of my beautiful Momma who had made her recent transition to Heaven) was the first to meet me, then her sweet little sister.  I KNEW at that VERY moment that my presence there was predestined and didn't think there was a doubt that I'd get the job because I NEEDED to be a part of this little miracle baby girl's life!  You don't have to be a brain surgeon to realize that she and I formed quite the special relationship (she really IS my bff!) and leaving her behind was the very hardest thing about moving from the Louisville area in 2012.  Yes, I'm still in touch with Alyce through the kindness of her wonderful Mommy and intend to remain in contact with her for the rest of my life.
My Momma was quite the amazing woman!  Her presence through this small wonder literally saved my life and she knew exactly what she was doing by placing her into my path!  My Momma was a songstress!  Through her teenage years she performed at various talent shows in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA!  Her voice was angelic!  To her dying day, her favorite genre of music was the typical soulful jazz and big band of the 40's.   In her late teens, she was presented with an opportunity to further her performance as a vocalist, but as God would have it, at the age of 17, she would meet a very special man who would become her husband a mere 2 and a half months later and bring into the world a family.
Last year, in the summer, my partner was performing with the Municipal band in the town where I was raised.  (Did I forget to mention that not even a year after leaving Louisville, I ended up moving back with my partner to a town 40 miles from my home town in Illinois?)   One night in the band shell in the park where I spent MANY days as a child, her band was fortunate enough to be joined by a special vocalist.  One of the local teens in town was making quite a name for herself and was invited to perform with this talented group of musicians.  As she took the stage and her milky voice crooned the tunes of Gershwin and other composers of that great period, my eyes filled with tears! (I might have neglected to mention that her name is Alice)  Turns out Alice was 17 and approaching her senior year in high school.  Later in the evening, I charged through the crowd, took her by the hand, and made her PROMISE me that NOTHING would stand in the way of her gift.  I told her a bit of my story, reiterating that I LOVE my Daddy and am MORE than grateful that he came into my Momma's life and started a family.  She squeezed my hand back and promised me that she WOULD pursue her dream.  6 months later, (yesterday) my partner and I were working the Illinois Music Educators' Association conference.  This is an amazing gathering for the best of the state's musicians.  As God would have it, Alice was in attendance, performing with the state's finest vocalists.  I got to once again speak to her and she assured me that she was actively pursuing her dream and preparing to audition for some very promising college opportunities!  We exchanged email addresses and I fully intend to keep tabs on this beautiful young soul for the rest of my life as well!
You might not believe in God or Heaven, but not one morsel of this story has been the slightest bit embellished and if the past 3 years of my life isn't solid evidence that my Momma is carefully orchestrating my need for these loving, meaningful connections, well, I don't know what could!

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