A series of essays….
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A TWIST OF FATE MAY SERVE AS A BLESSED CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, CHANGING YOUR LIFE AND HELPING YOU BELIEVE… |
….as seen through my eyes!
For Elaine not only a friend but a motivator.
By: Jacqueline E Hughes
The dry cleaning establishment was located right across the street from our apartment complex. Yet, living on the corner of a very busy intersection required me to drive there in order to pick-up the several items of clothing I’d dropped-off two days before. It’s true, I hadn’t worn them in quite some time, however, with my new job beginning just after the new year, these small errands could turn into huge chores when not having enough time to do them became a factor in my life.
“Please look in the small bag we’ve attached to your jacket,” the clerk informed me. “We discovered this item while cleaning out your pockets.”
Well, of course my curiosity was piqued. I hadn’t worn this particular sport coat for several years before moving to Orlando and couldn’t imagine what I might have stashed into one of the tiny, secret pockets located in the beige satin liner. Remaining in the parking spot outside of the cleaners, I began to slowly pull the cotton drawstrings of the little white bag apart and, cautiously, peeked inside.
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Wanting to find the perfect gift for our oldest daughter who would be graduating from middle school in a few weeks, I found myself at the jewelry counter of Hudson’s Department Store in the Meridian Mall looking for a specific watch that would suit a young woman soon to enter high school. Time, and never having enough of it myself, was always on my mind and it felt right to offer it to our very busy daughter who was embarking upon a brand new chapter in her life.
With its simple yet distinctive white dial and date design, history of fine quality, and sporty dark brown leather buckle strap, I chose a handsome Seiko watch for her that afternoon and had the back engraved with her graduation date and the words, “Always remember that you are The Best.” I tingled with excitement knowing that this special gift would provide her with many propitious moments in the months and years ahead, accompanied by the love and pride her parents felt for her. She was very pleased and wore the watch throughout most of her high school days.
Having a Seiko watch of my own for a few years prompted me to choose one for our daughter’s milestone event. Mine looked similar to hers with the exception of having a man-sized dial. My crystal face, however, was becoming quite scratched and I’d made numerous mental notes to have it replaced. In the meantime, I wore it until the etched face severely impeded my view of the dial and the leather strap began to show signs of minute cracks. I loved my watch dearly and found it difficult to not wear it on a daily basis.
Around that time, my curiosity for wearing vintage clothing was piqued and I found a beautiful silk-blend, doubled-breasted sports jacket at a cute vintage clothing shop in Okemos, Michigan, near to where my office building was located. The material shimmered in the light and created waves of blue or golden brown tones depending on which angle you looked at it. The satin lining gently caressed and cooled exposed skin making me feel richer, calmer for wearing it.
The interior of the jacket sported numerous mysterious pockets. Some were large with others often so tiny you couldn’t help but wonder what might fit in them. I would tuck little notes in there or, sometimes, buttons that had fallen off and I didn’t want to lose before being able to sew them back on. I wore it over white blouses and robin’s egg blue cotton tops and it looked sweet paired with both skirts and slacks alike. It was a staple in my closet—until it wasn’t any longer.
We moved several times in the span of nearly twenty-two years of living in the small town of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, before our giant move to Orlando in the late 1990’s due to Dan’s new construction position. During each of these moves our lives became downsized and more simplified. Several garage sales and charitable contributions helped to eliminate forgotten toys, knickknacks, and children’s clothing long ignored in cartons and drawers. Boxes were often left unpacked with each move and our current clothing was rearranged according to each new closet space. Within all of this self-imposed turmoil, I had somehow lost my Seiko watch and placed its disappearance under the category of mysterious phenomenons.
By the time we called Orlando our new home, and settled into our two bedroom apartment with half of our worldly belongings stashed away in a climate controlled rental unit (which included our baby grand piano), the feeling of being disjointed remained for almost two years. By then, we moved into the new home we had built on the east side and entered phase two of our Orlando experience.
Right before the Holidays, our first year there, I interviewed for and received an office position with an established construction company located in Celebration, Florida. In my haste to re-establish a certain office persona, it was time to take a few articles of clothing to the local dry cleaners and be prepared for my exciting new position with ISSA Homes. I drove across our busy side street, Pershing Avenue, and placed on the countertop several skirts, jackets, and slacks to be cleaned. I was excited and a bit nervous to be entering the job force in Florida for the very first time!
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My Seiko watch was coiled like a tiny brown snake at the bottom of the white cotton bag! So many questions ran through my mind as tears sprung from my eyes dampening the bag on my lap. When did I place the watch in that tiny pocket of my jacket? How many years had it been hidden away, in the dark, so lonely and in constant motion from one place to another? How would I feel having it back on my left wrist again—all smug and highly revered?
It felt so natural buckling it back onto my arm that my tears soon turned into a joyful smile and I ran back into the shop to thank them for their unmitigated honesty. They said they were only doing their job and were delighted that my watch and I were reunited after all this time. Well, let’s scratch another small notch on my umbrella handle for happy Florida events that made me feel welcome and alive in that new land I called, Home.
Relaying my story to my husband that evening, I realized that my vintage coat, purchased so long ago, protected something else I had valued for years. I never believed I would be wearing my watch again. I never thought I’d be living full time in Florida, either. All of these circumstances added up to ‘being at the right spot, at the right time.’ With a new job and Christmas right around the corner, it felt like a miracle had been gifted to me. It is my pleasure to be able to share this small slice of surprise, happiness, and joy with you this Holiday season!
Merry Christmas to all and may you enjoy a blessed and Happy New Year filled with good health and prosperity.
Copyright © 2021 by Jacqueline E Hughes
All rights reserved
