Some days, the unplanned turns into the meant-to-be, with connections woven through the fabric of hours. Unexpected meaningful conversations pull me deeper into my thoughts through the day.

It began with a quick cup of coffee with my dear friend, catching up on life, angst, all the things. Except the book we’re both reading, Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest, All the Way to the River. It’s a raw and vulnerable memoir on love and loss. How did we forget to talk about it? But we will….next time.

When a second coffee date was cancelled by the friend’s family emergency, I had an unexpected path-crossing with someone I seldom see, and I invited her to join me for a cup of coffee. After the ordinary catching up, the conversation quickly went deep. She is a spiritual soul, who has known loss and sorrow in ways I’ve not experienced. We talked about suffering and what, if anything, its purpose is in our lives, as well as how we perceive a higher power and its plan. She shared insights that will bring me back to this conversation. While not planned, this time together felt like it was meant to be.

In between, my friend Sharon randomly texted about the book she just finished and mentioned she was reading Liz Gilbert’s new book. Liz Gilbert’s book – yes! She also mentioned she’d been thinking of me, Stephanie, and candy corn.

Of course...the candy corn. My late friend Stephanie long ago discovered our mutual love of candy corn. Brach’s and only Brach’s. Every year, when Halloween treats started appearing, Stephanie brought me a bag of Brach’s candy corn, which I shared with others in my office. We had extra laughs the year she sent it through interoffice mail. The seasonal treatings (yes, I made that up) continued after we left our jobs. Stephanie passed away last year, but candy corn is a reminder, not just to me. When candy corn started appearing on shelves, three friends reached out with their memories of Stephanie. One dear friend brought me a bag. Who would have thought something so simple would inspire so much happiness? Thank you, Stephanie, for the memories.

Some connections are deep and truly meant to be.