Since it's the Easter weekend, it seemed appropriate to relay a memory that can be thought of as either a coincidence or a miracle. Oh heck! Who am I kidding? I don't believe in coincidences except for minor situations. For instance, one might be on an airplane and the person seated next to you stated their birthday is the same as yours. That would be a coincidence.
Then, there are situations that arise when there is no explanation possible, It's the stuff out of the twilight zone or from God.
It was either in 1995 or '96 and I was on a business trip that required me to be in Cleveland, Ohio. Whenever I went to that city for an overnight stay, I always found a motel outside the city limits. I mean, why take my life and put it on display for every criminal to see. The area of my business meeting was a war zone. As it was, I decided to retire for the evening in Painesville, 15 miles east of town and drive in on I-90. If you're not too familiar with Cleveland some refer to it as 'The Mistake by the Lake'. As is typical in December in Cleveland it was snowing and closer to being called a blizzard on this particular day. As I approached my exit, I spied a small red car parked on the berm. The flasher lights were on and as my vehicle slowly cruised by, I saw a young lady behind the wheel, so I did the gentlemanly thing. I parked and walked back to be greeted by a young woman who appeared to be in her mid 20's and very frightened. Who wouldn't be? Here she was in a broken-down car in an area inhabited by potential murderers at the most and rapists the least.
Even though I was wearing a fancy topcoat and suit as I slow walked toward her vehicle, I could see her mouthing, "Get away, leave". I turned around and began walking to my car for my appointment at the Horsburgh & Scott gearbox Company when chivalry took over. There was no way I was going to leave the damsel to be preyed on by who knew what. "Go back", I told myself. I very slowly approached her and placed my business car next to her window. I then explained I was on my way to a business meeting. For some strange reason I happened to mention, and to this day I don't know why, the name of the company. As soon as that name came out of my mouth she turned, looked at me quizzically and asked, "Who are you going to see.?" Now why would she ask that, I wondered? Anyway, I told her the person was an engineer, Bill Anders.
She immediately, without saying a word, left her car and entered mine. Now in the front passenger seat she turned, looked at me and with a voice that said, "I'm safe." She then told me her fiancé' was none other than Mr. William Anders!
If you believe this is a coincidence, think again. This is my story and I'm sticking to it.
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