The other day I was going through an old file and came across this story I used in some of my religion classes years ago. It’s a true story by Antoinette Bosco (1928-2020), an award winning journalist and spiritual writer. I will paraphrase her words.
When I was 11 years old, I lived in Albany, NY with my parents and 3-year-old brother Joey. We rented the top floor of a three-story house. An older Italian couple owned the house and lived in the basement. Their young shoemaker son lived on the first floor with his young pregnant wife, Catrina.
My brother and I used to visit Catrina regularly. She always made us feel at home. At times, when her unborn baby kicked, she let me touch her stomach. One time, Joey too felt the baby kick when he touched Catrina’s stomach with his hand. Later, my family moved away to another part of Albany. I became a writer and Joey went to college and eventually worked for the NY Labor Department. Years later, when he was 35, he suddenly learned he had leukemia. Doctors removed his spleen, but they didn’t give him much hope. It was then that Joe met a doctor, a young respected hematologist. This new doctor managed to keep my brother alive until a new drug was developed that finally put Joe’s leukemia into remission. When I visited Joe in the hospital he told me his new doctor was named Frank Lizzi.
“Lizzi?” I asked. “That name is familiar. That was our landlord’s name when we were growing up.”
“Yes,” said Joe. “That landlord was Dr. Lizzi’s grandfather.”
I asked, “Was Dr. Lizzi’s father a shoemaker and was his mother named Catrina?”
“That’s right,” Joe said. “What’s more, I’m only 3 years older than Dr. Lizzi.”
Only then did the realization hit me. The unborn baby who had kicked inside of Catrina those many years ago had grown up to be the doctor who saved my brother’s life!
Antoinette concludes her story with this paragragh:
“Not long ago, I watched Joe and Dr. Lizzi participate in a telethon for leukemia research. At one point, I saw not a doctor and his patient. I saw a little boy, his hand on the stomach of a young mother-to-be, feeling the kicking of her unborn child. And I marveled at the mystery of connections. Never would I have imagined back then that this unborn baby would one day return the touch, carrying with it the same miracle of life.”
PS: I feel compelled to add a footnote to Antoinette’s story. In 1993, she experienced a terrible tragedy. Her son, John, and his wife, Nancy, were shot and killed one night as they slept in their bed. The killer was apprehended, an 18-year-old young man named Shadow Clark. He was tried, convicted, and could have been sentenced to death. Antoinette describes her emotions during this time. When she first heard of the brutal murders, “I wanted the killer dead. I wanted to kill him with my own hands!” But over time, despite her profound grief, she wrote a letter to the judge asking to have the death sentence taken off the table. Clark is currently serving a 150 year sentence in prison. Antoinette tells her story in her book Choosing Mercy. She writes, “Yes, Shadow Clark must be punished, but I could not say, ‘Kill the killer.'” Her respect for life–as shown in the story of her brother and Dr. Lizzi–extended even to the convicted killer of her son and daughter-in-law.
For reflection:
Have you ever had an experience similar to Antoinette’s brother and Dr. Lizzi–a time when you felt “the mystery of conections” in your life? Perhaps it was a time when you found yourself saying, “What an amazing coincidence!” Or simply, “Small world!” If so, I invite you to briefly share your story with us below.
Is there anything in either of Antoinette’s stories that you wish to comment on? Please do so below!
Here is a poem/hymn by British poet, William Cowper (pronounced Cooper – 1731-1800). He set his original poem to music. Cowper suffered from severe depression and once attempted suicide. John Newton (writer of the hymn “Amazing Grace”) befriended him. There are scores of videos online of Cowper’s hymn. Here are two versions for you to choose from. The first is a piano solo of the melody of the hymn with the lines of the poem on the screen with beautiful nature imagery in the background. You can even sing along with the piano. The second is a slightly different version of the poem sung by Lori Sealy with some lovely images. Some of my favorites lines from this hymn include: “the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower… When tears are great and comforts few, we hope in mercies ever new, we trust in you…” I found this prayerful old hymn very faith-filled.
Video #1: piano with lyrics
Video #2: sung by Lori Sealy with lyrics
As usual, I invite you to add a comment to this reflection below. I love hearing from you!
27 Responses
A miraculous and beautiful hymn! Thanks for sharing Sr Melannie!
I too have an Albany NY connection story. I was visiting there this past March and met the pastor who for some reason asked where I grew up. I assured him it was a small town where he had never heard of. “Try me!” I told him the name and he said he most certainly did. I still doubted him….until he said “Frank Peter’s was my grandfather and I used to go to the post office and sit on his lap in the lobby!” My knees nearly buckled. Not only did I know his grandfather….my dad was the post master of that post office, I have one of those chairs from the lobby in my home and it’s quite likely that we crossed paths during our growing up years. The mystery of connections, indeed!
Those God winks when faith comes alive are always a blessing. When my Dad’s memory care unit was suddenly being shut down, I ran into a woman in the hallway who helped transfer Dad immendiately to a new facility. She was an answer to a prayer in just the right moment.
Thank you for these beautiful reflections!
Thank you for the wonderful reflections. The keeping of my name James instead of going back to Kathleen is a whole web of connections
Also Madeleine L’Engle speaks of connections often in her trilogy about her life. She awakened me to the wonderful world of connections.
What a warm and touching way to start off my Monday morning. The story, the music. Thank you Sister Melannie
Thank you for such an amazing and inspiring story, Sr. Melannie.
The hospice nurse, Heidi, who came the day my husband passed away told me a true story that I will never forget.
She was caring for a patient who had Parkinson’s Disease and whose disease was progressing. He always wore a tee shirt that had stains from where his food dribbled because of his loss of control. His wife was embarrassed that he wouldn’t change his shirt but he told her that Heidi didn’t mind because she understood.
Six months after he passed Heidi had a dream in which he appeared very handsome and well dressed. He asked her to please check on his wife. She said she would and then the dream ended. The wife was thrilled to see her but asked what brought her there. When Heidi told her about the dream, she asked what he was wearing and Heidi described his clothes. The wife then went to the bedroom and returned with the exact clothes he was wearing in the dream. “Connections” can be truly miraculous!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful connection story. There is a time and purpose for everyone, everything, in God we trust.
Dear Sr Melannie. You always find a way to touch my heart and give me hope. Your work is truly a gift to those of us who are lucky enough to have found you. Thank you so much.
Patricia
I have had similar experiences and when this has happened, I knew God’s hand was involved. A remarkable story. Thank you Sister.
Good afternoon Sr. Melannie. Thanks for this week’s blog. Twelve years ago my family was gathered to celebrate one of my grandniece’s birthday. My oldest brother had told us that he wouldn’t be coming. I got excited when I saw him coming up the driveway and called out to him. My youngest brother laughed and wanted to know what I had to drink. Got the call about half an hour later that my oldest brother had passed away about the time that I “saw” him in the driveway. I took that as a gift from God to have let me see him one last time. Thanks for the memory of God’s little gifts in our lives. God bless you and all of us!
Beautiful story from Antoinette and beautiful reflective music. Thanks for sharing. I think all these incidents of connection are God’s way of teaching and reminding us that we are all connected by our human likeness born in His image. And that we will be united in the hereafter to celebrate our connection with Him and each other. Those “God wink” moments are thrilling though.
In high school a young man i met from Kansas City and dsted turned out to be a third cousin. On a Denver train my seat mate was a man who knew a woman I had babysat for. On a plane in Nashville my seatmate was the son of someone I went to High school with. In India a woman i met had worked with my husband ( before I knew him) at Notre Dame. Also in India, flying to Chennai from Delhi, the pilot came to us and said the people we were visiting were friends of his and told him to give us a safe flight.
My husband’s cousin’s son was engaged to be married to a girl from Michigan – he was from Ohio. In conversation I said my brother lived in Michigan. It turned out she lived in the same small city, on the same street as my brother! She used to babysit his children when they were young. My brother and I were both invited to the wedding, me by the groom’s family, him by the bride’s family!
We now live in a senior community in North Carolina. One day at dinner my husband was wearing a shirt with an Ohio team logo. A man at the next table asked if we were from Ohio. As the conversation progressed, we learned he grew up on the same street as my husband. His wife went to the same high school as my husband and they were in the same homeroom.
Dear Sr. Melannie,
Thank you for sharing this reflection, it is so beautiful and meaningful. It fills my heart and lowers my worries to be reminded of how God does work in mysterious ways in our lives.
Praying for blessings for you!
Wow. Just this morning I shared a connection with one of my coworkers (coincidentally named Antoinette). When I first met her almost a year ago, she seemed familiar to me. It was determined, though, that our paths never crossed before. I realized today that it must have been Christ in me recognizing Christ in her. I think we are all connected when we can recognize Christ in each other.
We have just had a week like that – conections. And for so many years before this we have found so many connections. My husband invited a stranger to stay with us while the stranger helped as a co-principal at our school. The principal was going for surgery and my hubby was taking over for six weeks. The stranger needed a place to live so hubby invited him (unbeknowst to me) to stay with us. The first night he stayed we learned he had gone to college in the town from which we had just moved and knew many people we knew. And, later learned his wife’s mail carrier when she was a child was the father of my college roommate. We all have become very good friends and have traveled together multiple times. Hubby was a principal in South Dakota and nearly everywhere we go in the country we find some connection. Our older son teases us about it, but it’s been a lot of fun through the 58 years we’ve been married, lived many places and traveled through the country (even the world – found a common thread with someone standing in line at a tourist attraction in Paris!) It really is a small world. Thanks for that great story and blessings to you Sister.
Is dear sister melanie,
My brother put his arm around my shoulder, 54 years ago. The result of that conversation was my joining the U.S. Air Force. In early 1975, I was serving in Thailand and not doing well ~ emotionally or spiritually. That same brother, Suffering from depression and paranoia took his own life in March 1975. I was sent home for the funeral and to help my parents grieve. Less than 60 days later, I was in relationship with my future wife. We married February 1976 and the first of four children, Our daughter Katie was born the following September. Now.
Fast forward, My brother’s young daughter now 58, After living on the street for the past 10 years started today, working for adult teen challenge in Minnesota.
God is sooo Good ❣️
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
Aren’t these stories so amazing!
So my father died of a stroke in 1990. His death was a merciful one, for the last nine months of his life he could barely move. One of the attending nurses, who was pregnant at the time, would come into his room bringing joy and good cheer. She would say, “Good morning, Charlie!” She was an angel, and at this moment I’m sad to say I can’t remember her name. Fast forward 16 years, I’m teaching and it’s parent/teacher conferences. In walks a woman who looks so familiar. Yes, it was the nurse — the once pregnant nurse — who tended to my father. And, yes again, the child she carried then was now my student. I nearly wept when I saw her.
Sr. Melannie, I have read and enjoyed several of your books over the years and recently purchased “Sunflower Seeds of Hope”. (Actually, I inadvertently bought two and gave one to a friend.)
In these most troubling times, hope has become quite elusive for me. Your book, and now your blog, have been a light in the darkness.
The stories are enlightening and peaceful. Many thanks!
Dear Sr. Melannie,
This story of your brother, Joe and the beautiful poem put into song was so enlightening. How many times we wonder why things happen the way they happen within our own families and in our world. GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS is so true. I like the bud turn into the beautiful flower…..also the line “God is His own interpreter and HE will make it plain” gives me solace. I am thankful for the Connection to you and your blog.
God bless you….. for always teaching.
Beautiful music…a serene blessing. Thank you for sharing.
Dear Readers All,
Here is a story a woman near Melbourne, Australia shared with me. What a connection–and it involves my blog! Rachael said that her mother was in an “aged care facility” near Melbourne. There was a picture in her mother’s room of a man in uniform. Their family did not know who the man was. The staff didn’t know who he was either or how long the picture had been there. Says Rachael, “We claimed him as part of our family, but never knew who he was.”
Recently she put a post on the Whitehorse Good Karma Facebook page to see if anyone would recognize him. They did searches and tracked him down to my blog! It was the same picture as the picture of my Uncle Hank! I wrote a blog on him for Veteran’s Day in 2013. He was a young man in the US Army during WW II. How did HIS picture get on the wall of a room in a nursing facility in Australia?!
I do have relatives in Australia. My father’s first cousin escaped from Czechoslovakia after the communists took over. She and her husband spent some time in Germany before finally getting asylum in Australia. But they settled in Perth which is over 3,000 miles from Melbourne! My father’s cousin and her two daughters visited the US in the 1980’s. My Dad kept up a correspondence with them. But that still doesn’t explain who got that picture and why it was in Melbourne. Talk about a mysterious connection!
If you want to see the picture, just type in “Uncle Hank” in the search box at the top of my blog on the right and the reflection will come up. Rachael sent me a photo of her picture in a nice frame, so I know it’s the same picture. Any ideas about how that picture could have ended up where it did? Sister Melannie
Back in the 60’s, unfortunately children born with mental handicaps were often placed in institutions. Prior to Special Education legislation , I participated in a government program the summer after I graduated high school which was trying to recruit students into Special Education training.That summer I worked on a ward with 50 boys 10-12 years old and 3 ward attendants. Most just wore diapers, some helmets to protect from head banging and some in restraints. I would do PE activities and other games with them. Somehow a mother in my parish found out I was interning there. The family secret was that they had placed their son there. Ironically, he was on my ward. She was heartbroken and had so many questions. Long story short, she went to visit him for the first time and eventually the laws changed, and he received services in the community.
When my wife and I were outside Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, 4 Filipina women were waiting in line for Mass in the chapel underground. As we waited to go in, we told them we were going to Sydney, Australia, the next month for our nephew’s ordination. Behold, they were from Sydney, Australia!
I started attending a Nurturing Sacred Space group this past January. One of the men introduced himself and I just had a feeling I needed to talk with him afterwards. It turns out he is the older brother of a girl I went to grade school with! We reminisced about our old parish. It was wonderful! It is always so good to see him in our group. His sharing is such a blessing.
My husband’s uncle remarried after his wife passed away in the early 2000’s. They were living in the state of Washington at that time. When we met her for the first time I found out that her first husband who had also passed away was from the town that my parents grew up in in Minnesota. She met her first husband at a USO in California during WWII and they settled there after they were married but would bring their children back to Minnesota for two weeks every summer. Come to find out her first husband is a distant relative of mine after a cousin of my dad’s did a family history.