"I must learn to love the fool in me - the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility and dignity but for my fool." - Theodore Rubin

It continues to amaze me who you can meet on airplanes or in airports. From a total bore, to an exciting encounter, you’ll never know who you’ll chance meet that will tell us more about yourself than they themselves.

We catch a glimpse of ourselves and the magnitude of our problems is insignificant compared to others. The jolt of reality medicine can be painful, if not revealing.

We carry-on with interesting dialog about love and relationships. I conversed with a woman who looked forward to her husband’s retirement, they saved enough for a healthy financial nest egg, hoping to finally travel and spend more time together. Unexpectedly, her husband is diagnosed with inoperable cancer---the time spent is now limited to a most enduring 6 months. In spite of the devastation, she remains calm and hopeful for the future. Her grandchildren bring much joy. My take: I pay forward and offer my prayers and send a seedling of hope and joy in the midst of her sorrow and pain. She wishes me well on my return to the war zone. So my mind drifts to a time in my Catholic Parish in Florida where another teacher, ravaged by chemo-therapy told me she hoped to be teaching again in a few months. Little did she know that I learned a lesson: she taught me about patience, faith, and endurance. I am now re-energized and thank God for the sign. Yet I ask God to use His power to heal all cancer, bring peace among nations, and protect us from pain and suffering.

An engineer returning from Spain where he prepared an emergency landing strip for the space shuttle. I think back to February when the Space Shuttle returned to earth in pieces, shattering the lives of many and the hope of a nation. I thank this man for his service to keep the dream of space travel alive. This after a recent encounter of a 5 year old German boy who excitedly described to me what the space shuttle meant to him and how the hope shown brightly into his eyes.

Then there’s the actor Alan Alda of MASH TV series. I shake his hand respectfully and tell him how much the series mean to the troops in Afghanistan---to make them laugh again. He smiles and thanks me instead.

Call it what you will---circumstance or happenstance, the chance encounters may well have been planned in advance by a mightier Hand far beyond my imagination or understanding.

Copyright © 2007 by Myles Saulibio. All Rights Reserved