A Small World

The older I get, the more I realize what a small world it is.

My former boss from London now lives a mile away from me in suburban Maryland.  The father of a child at Braden's new preschool went to high school with my husband in New York.  And my favorite - when my husband and I were staying at a B&B in Byron Bay, Australia, we ran into two friends from law school - staying in the room next to us.

I could go on and on.  It seems to be happening more and more as I get older, and it always gives me a happy feeling when it does.  I don't know why.

It happened again this morning.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Enjoying the Small Things, by Kelle Hampton.  Her post today featured a letter from one of her readers that she found so inspiring, she decided to post it. The reader is a girl about my age who became a paraplegic after a horse riding accident when she was 21.

As I was reading this girl's heartfelt letter through teary eyes, I realized the story sounded ... familiar.  And then I saw the reference to Miami University, just outside of Cincinnati, and it all came together.  

I know this girl.  Well, I don't really know her know her; I know of her.  She is the best friend of my best friend's friend.  (Follow that?).  I remember back when I was 21, hearing of her accident and thinking how tragic it was.  Just a few months before, we had all been out for drinks together.  It was a "real life" moment for my 21 year old self, and over the years since, I have frequently asked my best friend how she is doing.

And here I am, twelve years later, getting the answer in the most unique of ways.

This girl's name is Sarah, and she recently started a blog to chronicle her journey.  You can find it here.  She is incredibly inspiring, witty, and an amazing writer.  I'm proud to say I met her once. A long time ago.

Small world.