Destination Unknown

Destination Unknown

I didn’t know 
our first play date would be at the zoo or
that our kids would be together for preschool.

I didn’t know
preschool would be canceled, and
Kindergarten would be homeschool.

I didn’t know
her son would come over to be a classmate, and 
her family would be the “class” for our class parties.

I didn’t know 
the freshly picked lilac 
she delivered to my porch would gift its sweet smell 
on the most challenging day I’ve weathered. 

I didn’t know 
about Wednesday Friendsday picnics, where 
she would lead our four kids between the trees 
to our secret picnic spot. 

I didn’t know
those four kids would play at her house 
while  I painted my kitchen, or 
that all future painting discussions 
would be decided in a flurry of our texted pictures of paint chips. 

I didn’t know all that her friendship would mean.

I just knew she was another mom at library story time,
her son around the same age as my twin boys.
But I cannot imagine, no—
I cannot even fathom what would have happened 

if we hadn’t exchanged numbers. 

---

I referenced this poem in February after Coffee+Crumbs posted it on their Instagram.

I was reminded of it this past week when I reflected on a different “I didn’t know” experience. 

Seven years ago, I joined my church prayer team and received prayer requests by email. Requirements: pray. Check. 

Except, one week I saw a request for a family with a baby in the NICU, and I was transported to the time when I was the one in the NICU watching two babies in incubators— teeny tiny bodies, spiderwebs of veins, and so much waiting. I emailed the family. I offered them some items that were helpful to me, including Starbucks money. End of story, except…

The email included a picture, and a year later I sat in a large room for a Bible Study, and I recognized the NICU mom in the corner with the stroller. We only had a short email exchange, so I felt a little ridiculous introducing myself. We had a nice chat, exchanged numbers, and went on exactly one playdate. Our friendship then divulged to weekly greetings during the Bible Study until the pandemic. End of story, except…

A year ago, I saw her name on our work referral list at the fabric store for Interior Design services. I texted her congratulations, and we briefly caught up. I told her we started going to a different church. End of story, except…

Two weeks ago, we came into church late. Within a few minutes, I received a message from the NICU mom who sat two rows ahead of me by herself visiting for the first time. 

She came to sit with me.

I didn’t know reaching out to a stranger seven years ago would result in her having a familiar face at a new church, but can you imagine what would happen if I didn’t? And haven’t I learned yet not to declare an end when the destination is unknown?

Lately, I don’t know if any of my writing projects will come to anything, so with that kind of motivation I’ve been occupying my time with my 150 miles of summer challenge, watching my flowers grow, and trying to win my library’s summer reading contest. But thinking about this story is sparking my creativity with words. Do you have an “I didn’t know” story?