Timing Is Everything

The definition of timing is "A placement or occurrence in time."
To equate this to music, "Notes and timing are the backbone when it comes to playing music. Timing determines rhythm and it is crucial to music."

Life is all about timing and this is a cute story of how timing was musically related and I mean MUSICALLY and RELATED....literally and figuratively.

A few weeks ago, I received a call from one of my former piano student's mother telling me that her 13 year old daughter wanted to resume piano lessons, as well as her 10 year old daughter. Abbey started with me when she was 6 years old, which is very young and as it turned out she just was not ready and did not continue for long. (I recommend 8 years old as an ideal age to start.)

I was thrilled when her mother called because I always remembered Abbey as a sweet and adorable little girl. I looked forward to seeing her as a grown teenager. And what a bonus to meet her again and her 10 year old sister who was undoubtedly also as sweet and adorable.

When the lesson day came it was such a nice reunion and we all hugged and reminisced as it was 7 years ago since we saw one another. In the course of the conversation, Abbey's mom told me that her 16 year old son was a sophomore at the same school as my brother's son, Nick. I asked her if his name sounded familiar and to my surprise she exclaimed, "Nick and my son are best friends!"

I could not believe my ears. Out of over 300 kids, what are the chances??!!
Well, of course life is full of coincidences such as this but you have to admit that it IS all about timing. Perhaps if Abbey's mom never called about piano lessons, I would have run into her in 2 years at my nephew's graduation party. Who knows but I am so happy that I will get to enjoy teaching Abbey and her sister every week. For me the timing is perfect and over the course of their lessons, the girls will musically learn that "timing is everything."

How Do You Keep the Music Playing?

It was a Friday night and Theresa did not feel like going out after working all day, especially since she had to get up early the next morning and go back to work. But, she had promised her girlfriend Anne that she would take her out to a few "night life" spots in the town where she grew up. Theresa was grumpy and after driving 40 miles they stopped in a little neighborhood bar to have a drink. It was smokey and so they had one drink and left. Then they stopped at another place and it was "deadsville" so they moved on. The last place they went to was a huge restaurant/bar with people of all ages and a crowded bar. Anne headed to the bar and immediately started talking to a gentleman. Theresa was not in the mood to talk and had no interest in meeting a man no matter how "gentle" he might be. She headed over by the entrance, sat on a bench and just watched the people pour into the restaurant.

After awhile, Anne waved her over to the bar. She sat down and as she looked across the bar, her eyes saw a familiar face and she was surprised to see him so far away from home. They laughed and spoke for awhile and she started to have fun. Then the man sitting next to her started chatting. He was 8 years younger but as they started talking they discovered that he was good friends with Philip who went through grade school, junior high and high school with Theresa. They were always good friends but never dated. Theresa had always liked Philip and thought about him off and on over the years and Philip had done the same with Theresa, wondering what had become of her.

It turned out that Philip was single and available so Theresa wrote him a note on a napkin asking him to call her and the friend was going to make sure that Philip got the note. A month went by and Theresa never heard from Philip. She figured he was not interested. Two weeks later, Philip called Theresa and said that he found a note on his car and was perplexed as to how it got there. He was thrilled to hear from her and they talked for 3 weeks and finally met at a diner half way between their homes.

They sat there for 3 and a half hours, talking, laughing, kissing and carrying on like teenagers. They instantly connected, started dating and had many moments of fun and reminiscing. Theresa wanted to take things a bit slower than Philip and it hurt him when Theresa could not return his love as quickly as he wanted. He was so loving and giving and treated her like a queen. He thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world and she did love him but was afraid to admit it. She was holding on to the past and because she could not let go of it she lost her future.

Theresa and Philip had not seen each other for 40 years and instantly connected. It is sad that they could not find a way to keep the music playing. Their fate turned into fear and froze their relationship. The sad thing is that Philip is probably thinking about Theresa and Theresa is thinking about Philip but neither one of them will admit it.

"Maybe I didn't love you quite as often as I could have; and maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should have. If I made you feel second best, I'm sorry I was blind; You were always on my mind, you were always on my mind."

Love Was Only a Floor Away

This is a story of how Sam & Sylvia met & fell in love.

Sam, a widower, was living in a retirement community when he met Sylvia who was enjoying her 2nd marriage at the time. They had mutual friends in the complex where they lived and on this particular evening they were all sitting around the dining hall talking when Rosedale High School, 45 miles away came up in the course of the conversation.

Sam & Sylvia realized, 68 years after they had graduated high school, that Rosedale was the school they both graduated from and lo and behold, the same year. They did not know each other back in the day because their graduating class consisted of 600 kids.

A few months after the dinner get-together, Sylvia's husband died. Two months later, she received a call from Sam, asking her out on a date. It didn't take Sam long to realize that Sylvia was the one for him. Two years later, they were inseparable and acting like teenagers in love.

Regardless of the high school connection, Sam & Sylvia were meant to meet, fall in love and spend the rest of their days together. It is amazing though that they both ended up in the same retirement community, just 45 miles from where they went to high school and not having their paths cross until 68 years later!!

Music to My Ears

The following story is about unlikely events that will show how "Anything is possible but not probable!"

Lauren is a 25 year old who plans a road trip to the Bayou Music Festival with her 2 girlfriends. Their plans are to drive from Richmond, Virginia to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to see the Country Music Superfest that is being held over Memorial Day Weekend.

In November, 6 months in advance of the festival, Lauren buys the tickets through Ticket Master and books a room at the Holiday Inn in New Orleans. She puts everything on her charge account knowing the girls will all split the cost 3 ways.

Three weeks before the trip, Lauren decided that she really didn't want to go on the road trip and since it was her idea to take the trip in the first place, she told the other girls that she would just take the loss for the room and they would try and sell the tickets.

A few days later, Ticket Master called Lauren to say that they were renovating the upper deck section where their seats were and they would upgrade or give them a full refund. Ten days after that, the Holiday Inn called and told Lauren that they were remodeling and their room was no longer available and they would send her a refund.

What are the chances that something like this would happen???? Lauren is going to take that money and go and buy a lottery ticket!!!!

Chance, Fate or Fortune?

Sometimes when fate finds us, we wish it had taken a detour.

In the following story, fate was not traveling in the direction of fortune for Natalie.

When Natalie and Trevor first met and looked into each other's eyes, they fell in love. Natalie thought Trevor was the most handsome man she had ever seen. And, when Trevor looked at her with his dark brown eyes, her heart would melt. He made her feel special every day. She was his angel.

They enjoyed doing everything together, had many interests and were always smiling. They always had kind words for each other and people would tell them what a cute couple they made. Even after 5 years of dating, they had fun and their hearts would still beat fast when they saw each other.

When Trevor's job took him 1,500 miles away from home, he asked Natalie to go with him. The day they moved into their new apartment, they met a woman across the hall named Brunhilda. Hilda was a professional mountain climber and more than anything in the world, Trevor loved mountaineering. Trevor and Hilda ran into each other quite often and one thing led to another. Trevor told Natalie that his heart was with Hilda and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life climbing mountains.

Natalie's heart was broken but since she was deathly afraid of heights, she did not even try to compete and returned home. Everyone that knew them was shocked when they heard the news.

Was it just meant to be that in a complex of hundreds of buildings, chance put them in that spot???? Hilda's good luck was Natalie's bad luck. The dictionary defines luck as "believing that whatever happens, either good or bad, is due to chance, fate or fortune."
What do you think?

"Thumbthing" is Wonderful About You

This story is about a couple who when they started dating, realized that they each were the 5th person in each other's lives. What a coincidence!

He gave her a thumb ring, and with it came an analogy of how he was different from the men in her past. He equated himself to the thumb: “You see, your thumb and I have a lot in common. The thumb with its four fingers is the only opposed digit, is the smallest, not as thin as the rest and definitely not the prettiest. In fact, it was never even dignified enough to be called a finger, as the others.

It never gets a ring or is fancied up or painted unless the others are. In fact, when checking the nails, the palm is usually down and all four fingers are stretched out to view without any attention to the thumb.

It doesn’t have a fancy name like “Index,” “Middle,” “Ring,” or “Pinky.” It doesn’t scratch in unmentionable places as the others and doesn’t pick at body orifices like the others, such as the nose, ears, bottom, etc. However, compared to the thumb, the other four fingers are useless because they are not nearly as strong! They cannot pick up things or even hold items such as a hammer or screwdriver. You couldn’t even eat without the thumb because you wouldn’t even be able to hold a knife, fork, spoon, or even chopsticks!

No way could you even make a yes or no decision without the thumb: thumbs up / thumbs down. You wouldn’t be able to communicate in writing or sign a document without the thumb to hold the pen. Try defending yourself without the thumb; the fingers can’t even make a fist without the thumb holding them together! When you travel, you wouldn’t be able to ask for a ride without putting out the old thumb, which is the only way someone would even consider giving you a ride.

Try using any of the other fingers on their own and see what happens:
Index: People think you’re pointing.
Middle: People think you’re giving them an obscene gesture.
Ring: Near impossible to stand out on its own without the thumb holding back the other fingers.
Pinky: People would think you’re flamboyant.

So, I may not be the prettiest or tallest but I can hold our relationship together and always be there for you. You are the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me and this thumb will never fail you as the fingers of your past.”

That was his spur of the moment analogy of the thumb and how it relates to a hand of love. I think he is on to thumbthing!!

Fate and the Prom Date

The following story is taken from one of my favorite books, "Your Heart's Desire," by Sonia Choquette. If you haven't read this book, trust me, it is amazing. We can all make our dreams a reality as you will see in this story.

"I was heartbroken because the 10th grade prom was approaching and I didn't have a date. And, to make matters worse platform shoes were in style and I would be towering over the boys. My mom suggested that I focus on creating a tall prince to take me to the ball. With only 3 weeks before the prom, I didn't have time to focus on anything. Oh yes, she said....magic can happen in a moment.

My focus began with envisioning a cute guy picking me up and taking me to the prom. I created someone very tall, cute, thin, long hair, good dancer with David Bowie looks. I saw him in my mind's eye the moment I woke up every morning. I looked for him around every corner. I did this for 2 whole weeks but in spite of my efforts he didn't show up as I expected.

Three days before the prom and still no date, my disappointment took me to a nearby shoe store to check out the shoes. There, sitting on display, was the most beautiful pair of platforms I'd ever seen. I had to have them! As I held them, my heart sank as I thought how perfect they would have been for the prom I wouldn't be attending. As I waited for a salesman, the cutest guy I'd ever seen emerged from behind the curtain. Long blond hair, six feet five, skinny, and wearing a very cool pair of plaid platforms - he looked like David Bowie.

When he brought me the shoes to try on, they fit perfect. "You gotta buy this shoe," he said. Walk around and let me admire you." I loved the shoes and the salesman but told him I couldn't buy them because they were too expensive and I had no place to wear them. He said, "If you buy these shoes, I'll take you anywhere you want to go."

"The ball," I responded jokingly. He said "okay" and "when do you want to go to the ball?" I summoned my courage and told him my school prom was on Saturday night - never thinking he would be free. He said he didn't have plans and asked where he should be.

On Saturday night, my prince arrived at my house, in his father's yellow Cadillac. Together we shimmered off to the ball in style and had a fantastic time - so much so that we dated all through high school. If I had any doubts before about the power of focus, they were forever banished!"

You can bring your dreams into focus. If you want to create an experience, you must begin by having a clear, focused thought of that experience. Wherever you clearly focus, you create! Try it for yourself, and see.

For more information on Sonia and how to create the life you really want, please visit her website at http://www.soniachoquette.com

Many thanks, Sonia, for this wonderful story!!!!!!

When You Least Expect it, Love Will Find a Way

I met George and Gracie recently at a family birthday party. I had met George a few years ago before he and Gracie met. Gracie was charming and warm and we all liked her from the start. When we asked how they met, my eyes lit up with joy and I knew I had to share their story with you so here it is in George's words:"I had been happily married for 36½ years with most of that time being in the United States Air Force. We traveled all around the world and lived in various places. As they say; home is where the Air Force sends you. Each time was approximately 4 years each and we lived in places like 25 miles North of Tokyo, 81 miles North of London on two separate occasions, Spokane Washington, and twice at McGuire AFB near Trenton New Jersey. After retirement, I got a job with the State of PA and my wife got a job for the Federal Government at the Veterans Administration. About the time when we were both to permanently retire, she had succumbed to a long bout with cancer. As a combat hardened veteran, I can truthfully say that she was the bravest person I ever knew. She was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
So for the next few years I was recluse, lost and very lonely. I thought how horrible it all was and why could it not have been me to go. The thought of never having a best friend, confidant, someone to laugh with that gets me, a snuggle, someone to admire, someone to enjoy taking care of, holding a female hand, a warm caress, sharing a kiss, experiencing love and above all having someone love me. On top of that, I thought that I was too old and unattractive to ever find someone. Plus the fact that it would be impossible to ever find someone with even one tenth of the thousand attributes that I dreamed of; I.E. chemistry, height, age, weight, smoking, drink, job, ethnicity, religion, political views, education, kindness, caring, pets, hair color, eyes, passion, romance, etc., etc., etc. These are just some of the characteristics that a person unconsciously sorts out with another person, which normally takes about one to two years. Plus, girls like the bad boys and I can’t help it that I’m not that way; I.E.: I still hold the door for women, never let them carry a package, etc. Of course no one is perfect, so when you formulate an opinion; you have to take the good with the bad.
Then last summer, my niece and her husband invited me for a weekend at Ocean City, New Jersey. I walked the entire length of the boardwalk twice, and all the time I felt that I just didn’t fit in; everywhere I went I felt like the odd man out. It seemed that everyone in the world had someone but me; it was the most awful feeling anyone could ever experience; it takes away your happiness and any hope for the future.
So after that episode, the next day I had a dental appointment and my dental tech said: for all the time you were once married, you may have that ahead of you again and can start a whole new life! With that came an epiphany and I then decided that I just got sick and tired of being sick and tired! So I decided to lose some weight, get in shape and not feel sorry for myself anymore. Then on a whim, I joined a dating service called date.com. One day a cyber glitch crossed my written profile with a written profile of someone that was on matchmaker.com! These are two totally independent companies and systems! I can’t get into the Matchmaker system and she couldn’t get into the Date system. So with this divine fluke, we started corresponding on Halloween. She seemed so nice and her written profile was really great. The only drawback was that she lived seventy miles away. Meanwhile, I went out on four dates which never got past an evening dinner and two other women that I dated for a short period of time. So again, I thought this is just not working out and I was just about to give up for good. About that time my sister Janice, who is my Matriarch, confidant and best friend, kept telling me that it would happen when you least expect it.
So for one last time I thought I would contact this nice girl, named Gracie, who I’ve been writing to for so long that we were like real pen pals. Then around Christmas, just when I sent her my phone number, she did call and left a voice mail but I was not at home. She called again but I was unable to talk to her at the time. I wanted to call her back but didn’t have her number! In addition, she was feeling the same about giving up trying to find the right someone, and with that, closed her Match account which stopped the secure e-mail service. So when I realized that she was the one girl I really wanted to date; it was too late and I was unable to contact her. She probably thought I was so rude for not being able to talk that one time, plus not interested because I never called her back; I knew this and felt absolutely horrible. I looked at her picture from the computer and thought, I really blew it.
Meanwhile, Gracie’s dating service would not reimburse her for the unused month so she decided to keep it open. Although Gracie wasn’t using the service, her granddaughter Emmy, who is now 10, was browsing on her Nan’s (Gracie) computer and came across me! She asked if she could write because she thought I would be a really nice man for her Nan. Gracie conceded and on January 29th I received an e-mail from the dating service with this wonderful one line message that read: “Hi George, I’m Emmy, Gracie’s granddaughter. I think you look like a nice man. From my Nan and me.” I was totally over the moon to get this letter from such a sweet child, which gave me the ability to have contact again, because I now had her secure e-mail connection once more. So I contacted Gracie and from that point on, for weeks and weeks, we would talk on the phone every night for three and four hours, write e-mails, and txts.

Because of severe snow storms and other scheduling problems, our first date didn’t happen until February 14th; which ironically is St. Valentine’s Day! Everyone told me, whatever you do; don’t dress nice because you’ll look desperate and whatever you do, don’t bring flowers and candy because you’ll seem needy. Well, I went against everyone’s advice, went with my heart, and did just that. Besides, I felt this may very well be a one time date and being my last date ever, I would do what I thought best. When Gracie and I first met, she came right up to me and I didn’t even recognize her! No one ever looks like the picture in their profile; they usually look worse. When I first saw her, she was so stunning that I was completely taken away! We had a nice brunch at a country club and the hostess knew it was a blind date and placed us in a secluded area. We stayed there for four hours then walked at the local mall for two more hours. She gave me a Valentine’s Day card which I treasure today. Since then, we’ve been inseparable and I found out that love can happen at first sight and when you least expect it. Of all the relations in the world, usually one of the partners is always the dominant one. With us, we both love each other the same which I didn’t think possible. Of the thousand attributes to look for in a woman, she’s the only one I ever knew that fits each and every one. So my path in life that brought Gracie and I together, got steered by a profile I wrote on a whim, a cyber glitch which no one can explain, having one contact with Gracie before closing her account, having contact again just as I was giving up, to a dear letter from a nine year old girl named Emmy who was seeking a nice man for her Nan."
This is a great story about a connection that was JUST MEANT TO BE and only proves that when you least expect it, love is right around the corner!!

"M" is for Monika

This story is about a precious little girl and how she got her name.

The story was written by her father and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

"When she was in her mom’s womb, I always talked to her so she would know my voice right away when she was born. Seeing that her due date was on the same day that the Super Bowl would be, I joked around with Monika when she was in the womb saying, "You better not come out until after the Eagles win the Super Bowl or after they get knocked out of the playoffs!" My brothers and I went to Chickie and Pete's sports bar in South Philly on Saturday night January 13th to watch the Eagles in the 2nd round of the playoffs versus the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles lost the game.

We decide to go get cheese steaks at Pat's. Upon arriving at Pat's only 10 minutes after the game was over, I called Monika's mom to tell her I would be home after eating and taking my brother to the train station. As she was responding to me she said..."Ok. see you later..oh my God, my water just broke!" Monika literally waited 10 minutes until after the Eagles were knocked out of the playoffs, just like I asked her to! More than two weeks early--January 14th of 2007!

I wanted to name her Monika all along after my favorite Italian actress Monica Bellucci. As it got closer to the day she was born, I began to question if that was the right name for her as not too many people have that name, and a person's name can have a huge effect on their life whether it be positive or negative, so I began to second guess her name. When I walked into the delivery room, the head nurse assisting with the C-section name was Monica! I couldn't believe it! Then the following morning the nurse that was assigned to Monika's mom's room was named Monika with a "K."

The thing I will never forget from that night is when I was in the delivery room (surgery room for the C-section), Monika was literally seconds old and of course crying her eyes out. I was over with just her and Monica the nurse and she gave her to me to hold. As soon as I started talking to her and she heard my voice...she stopped crying. Perhaps because she recognized my voice from all of those times I talked to her while she was in the womb!"

It is interesting to hear about the circumstances or significance of how we got our name. I was named Michele because my parents wanted a Michael. What about you??? Do you know how or why you were named? Wouldn't it be fun to find out!

TONY meets TONY

Mirror, mirror on the wall, this story is proof that the world is small!!

Tony grew up in Pennsylvania but spent the last 30 years living in the Southwest. He recently moved back to PA and after a few months, decided to make it official and apply for a PA driver's license.

Tony found a center that was about 20 miles from his house. When he walked into the license center, he was given a number and Tony sat and waited in a room filled with 50 people. There were 3 employees servicing the customers and as your number was called you would go to the next available attendant.

When it was Tony's turn, the attendant taking care of him had a name badge on his shirt that read "Tony S." They smiled and Tony T. said, "I like you already." Appearance wise, Tony S. also looked very similar to Tony T. except that his beard was much longer. They struck up a warm conversation and Tony T. told Tony S. that he was originally from PA and mentioned the high school that he graduated from.

It turns out they graduated from the same high school - same year!!

Tony S. asked Tony T. his last name and when he told him he said, "You were in my homeroom." They immediately started naming people they knew in common and reminiscing about teachers and coaches.

And it gets even better....it turns out that Tony T. and Tony S. live only 5 miles or so from each other.

In a few years, they will have their 40 year reunion. In the meantime, perhaps their paths will cross again but if not they will both have a great "small world" story to tell. I wonder if they will meet up at the reunion? We'll find out in 2 years!!

Good Things Come in Threes

THREE MONKEY's

When my son moved to Virginia THREE years ago he knew no one. I would like to add that I was born in Virginia so I thought it ominous that he moved there. He had a fantastic job opportunity so he took advantage of that and left with a positive attitude and sense of adventure.

Early on, he went to a restaurant/bar after work for happy hour, called the "THREE Monkey's," and met a sweet girl. They started dating and have been together for THREE years!

My son and his girlfriend are coming home for Valentine's weekend and I wanted to get her a gift for her new home. I was looking in one store and thought it would be nice to get something with a monkey, not sure what but had the "monkey idea" in my head. I didn't see anything. I went to another store and lo and behold what did I find....if this wasn't fate....well, you tell me.

Sitting on the shelf were only THREE dishes left with monkey's on them!!!!!!
I could not believe my eyes.....so, I grabbed the dishes and headed for home with a smile on my face. I cannot wait to give them to my son's girlfriend. I know she will be thrilled.
I just can NOT believe that there they were, waiting for me......how remarkable!!!!
~~~~~

The Whimsical Red Head

This story is not about FATE but it is about FUN. It is about being young at heart and being the life of the party and living every moment - embracing life with a whimsical outlook!

My mom and dad moved to a retirement community about 6 years ago. It is a beautiful place with many dining rooms and lots of activities. Some of the residents are not as ambulatory and well-spirited as my mom but they all get along and greet each other with smiles. They all know my mom because of her red hair and charming personality.

While my dad was alive, my parents would go to one of the dining rooms for dinner about 3 nights a week. My dad had trouble sitting in a straight chair for more than 10 minutes so mom would carry a little basket with their room keys, a vile of Advil (to get him through dinner) and a vile for his vitamins that he had to take with dinner. She also put some Hershey kisses in there for after dinner treats.

After a few weeks, the residents started asking, "What is in your little basket?" Sometimes she would give them a Hershey kiss and other times she would just tell them they were dad's vitamins. It got so that every night they went down to dinner, someone would ask what was in the basket.

Finally, mom was tired of people asking her what was in her basket so one night she held up a vile in each hand and replied: "This is his Viagra and these are my birth control pills!"

Most of them laughed with her but a few actually took her seriously and never spoke about it again. Occasionally she has a gentleman who teases and asks her for some Viagra.

Dad has been gone for 3 years now but mom continues to carry her little basket with the 2 viles and has become the "candy lady with Viagra." Wherever she goes, the whimsical red head carries with her, the spirit of her beloved husband and an amazing zest for life.

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance." (Anonymous)

New Beginnings

HAPPY 2010!!! Buon Capodanno!!!

Here we go, another year and more resolutions to conquer. What is on your list??? Spend more time with family, quit smoking, lose weight, find that dream job, get out of debt, get organized, learn something new....whatever it is, I wish you luck and a firm resolve to make it happen.

At the top of my list is to learn Italian and to keep my "fate" stories going.

Here is just a quick tidbit to start the year -

I met a young woman in her mid-twenties in the 9th month of 2009.

This delightful young lady was born on 11/28.
Her address is 8200 Roberts Road, Apt. 28 and her zip code is 19128.

I wish I could say that she was born in 1982 which would make her 28 but she is 26.

Remember: "Fate only takes you so far, then it's up to you to make it happen."

I hope your resolutions take you where you want to go and wishing you many blessings in 2010!!

Desiderare lei la pace ed ama sempre.
Wishing you peace and love always.