A Magic Moment in Manhattan Beach

We were in southern California, wrapping up our trip to see Hobart's kids and their families.  The visits in each of their homes had been wonderful and different.  I had gotten to know his children as adults after having known them as children decades ago.  Hobart spent quality one-on-one time with his kids and grandchildren.  We experienced each of their cultures and homes and had even gotten to meet and spend time with some of their friends in Phoenix, Arizona (Brent), Del Mar (Wendy) and Hermosa Beach (Wes), California.  

It was the last day with family before we were to head up the coast to home on Whidbey Island, WA.  Wes's family was busy that last afternoon so Hobart and I went to Manhattan Beach to walk the pier, visit the aquarium, and enjoy the beach.  During our time in the Southwest, Hobart had mentioned several times that he'd like to buy sandals, so on the way to the pier, we found a fabulous Skechers shoe store.  (We later discovered that the headquarters of Skechers is in Manhattan Beach and this was their signature store.) I bought three pairs of shoes immediately.  Hobart found a pair of sandals he liked and decided to wear them out of the store, but Tim, our salesperson, made him first take off his socks.  "Hey, man, get rid of the socks--you're in California." Hobart paid and we left.

A block down the street, Hobart complained that a strap was rubbing the top of his foot, so we found a bench on the sidewalk where he could sit down to put his socks back on, well out of Tim's sight.  The bench was right in front of the Rock N Fish, an open-air restaurant.  A woman diner and her friend, who were eating lunch near us, noticed our big Skechers bags and asked if Skechers was having a sale.  We visited briefly, encouraging them to go check out the cute shoes. We headed to the pier and aquarium.  

An hour later we were returning from the pier on the way to the ice cream shop and stopped for a minute to rest on the same sock-donning bench. The same woman diner and her friend walked by us.  We smiled in recognition and commented on their absence of Skechers' bags, reminding them that the store was on the corner.  We all laughed and they continued walking down the street.  

A few minutes later Hobart and I arrived at the ice cream store a block away. We each ordered two scoops.  Hobart had cookie dough and mint chocolate chip.  I had Nutella and salted caramel.  We settled into comfortable chairs at a small table to enjoy our ice cream.  Suddenly, Hobart, looking over my shoulder, broke into a huge grin and yelled, "Hey!  We've got a table for you!  Come sit down!" and pointed to the table next to us.  And here came our diner woman and her friend--our third encounter with them that afternoon. 

Serendipity!   

They joined us and for the next hour the four of us talked and laughed and teased and exchanged stories and histories. We discovered common connections and shared interests and visited openly and comfortably. What an hour! We bonded, and, upon parting, exchanged emails and embraces. What a blessing and what a gift!  We had all given each other the time to create a memorable moment, to experience our common humanity, and to feel the Loving Spirit that runs through and connects us all.  

What magic!  

Quinn and Jereal

Nancy and Jereal

Quinn and Hobart