Sunday, December 13, 2009

Serendipity

It happens to be the name of one of my favorite romantic movies, with one of my favorite romantic actors, John Cusack. One I'll watch again and again, just to make sure the guy still gets the girl . . . even if I did learn (vicariously, thanks to a girlfriend) this weekend that he's not the best kisser. The kiss tells everything . . . he may have to be removed from "the List".

* * * * *

Serendipity.

A British translation company in 2004 named it one of the 10 hardest words in the English language to translate. Try "an instance of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for" . . . or maybe "good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries."

The French have a phrase for it - heureux hasard - which translates as "fortunate chance".

It was the last sign I noticed, on the side of a new restaurant, as the taxi pulled away from the Bellagio, on our way to the final stop of the day before returning to reality. It made me smile.

* * * * *

It was everywhere this weekend. It was hours with a good girlfriend on Friday night over girly-drinks with sugared rims and sourdough fondue that you hadn't planned. It was stealing the last warm rays of sunshine, on a weekend that had been filled with cold and gray, on the patio at the Palazzo with another gal pal as the sun set behind TI and you hashed out life's regrets and wish lists.

It was opportunities that presented themselves from the crumbled remains of your previous plan. Like experiencing something for the first time with a good friend, and finding out he's really good at it . . . but has the patience to sit with you for hours to help you be better too.

Fortunate chance.

* * * * *
I've accumulated a whole host of dear friends, and unrivaled life experiences, by virtue of fortunate chance. Many of whom I just spent four fantastic days with that I wouldn't trade for anything. There's more to come, but right now, I just need to close my eyes and revel in the last lingering moments of this round of serendipity.
* * * * *
May you all enjoy the next "fortunate chance" that finds it way to you . . . I'm keeping my eyes open for mine.
Respectfully submitted,
The Wife

4 comments:

Unknown said...

"It was opportunities that presented themselves from the crumbled remains of your previous plan. Like experiencing something for the first time with a good friend, and finding out he's really good at it . . . but has the patience to sit with you for hours to help you be better too."

She's talking about the poker session we had, Doc! At least I think so.

BamBam said...

I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of those "opportunities that presented themselves."

A quick grope in the aisleways of the MGM and Ceasars, as two random examples!

:)

The NL Wife said...

BamBam, I'm so glad I had the "opportunity" to return the grope before the tourney - hope it lasted for a while!

So good to see you and your love!

Unknown said...

I like your style. And the shoes :)