Yesterday afternoon, after our plans with friends fell through, we instinctively shifted gears and slipped into hiking mode.
Before heading out, I found myself staring at my running list of trails, taking distance and time into consideration since it was a bit later start than usual. This list has been my go-to for years now. It’s ever-changing, always evolving. I am constantly adding cool new spots to explore and crossing off others once we’ve completed them.
Something quiet inside nudged me toward one particular trail, and I’m so glad I trusted that pull because what unfolded next was far more meaningful than I could have ever imagined.
A couple of kilometers into our hike, I wandered slightly off the trail for a moment to catch a glimpse of a really beautiful view. The next thing I knew, I was tangled in a spider’s web. With instant regret, I stood there squirming and brushing myself off while Rich laughed and shook his head in disbelief. As I regrouped, he wandered over to a nearby bench where he noticed a dog sitting with its owner. What first caught his eye was how much the dog resembled Maggie (our dog!). What happened next made us both take pause.
When I finally joined him at the bench, Rich was already engaged in conversation with the dog’s owner, Shelly. His name was Niko. The bench itself immediately stood out. You could tell it was new, with a shiny plaque dedicated to someone who had passed away sometime this past year.
Something I may have not shared before, but Rich and I stop at nearly every bench we come across on our #summerofrich adventures, reading their dedications, always curious about their stories, while quietly reflecting on the lives behind the plaques or engravings.
As our conversation deepened, Shelly felt safe enough to share with us that this bench, and the plaque upon it—were in honour of her beloved husband Alejandro, who had died just this past March from a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gently wiping away her tears, she began telling us stories of the amazing man he was, apologizing for getting emotional. I told her never to apologize for feeling her feelings. I felt truly honoured that she trusted us with her grief; just two strangers in the forest. She admitted she rarely opens up to passersby about why she is sitting there.
She went on to explain the meaning behind the words engraved on the plaque. We listened intently. They were lyrics from her husband’s favourite musician, “Passenger”. I hadn’t been familiar with him before, but on our drive home, we listened to some of his music, and I instantly became a fan. His words spoke to me in ways that mirrored my own journey, just as they had spoken to her husband. The plaque’s quote came from a song titled, “The Way That I Love You,” and the line in it, “You’re lovely just the way you are.” was a phrase her husband often said to his wife and their teenage daughters.
By now, I, too, had tears in my eyes, and even though I never met her husband, I felt his presence on that same bench with us.
This spot holds such deep meaning: it’s situated along a trail close to their home, one that Shelly and her husband often walked together, and now, it’s a peaceful place for her and her girls (and Niko) to come, to sit, to reflect, to remember, and to grieve.
It’s very rare that Rich and I return to a trail once we’ve explored it, but I know I’ll return here—maybe just to sit, to reflect, and perhaps even to cry.
What began as disappointment over canceled plans yesterday afternoon (though we did still get to see our friends later that evening) turned into something far more profound. Sometimes, it takes a nudge—or maybe even a spider’s web to guide us to the very people or places we didn’t know we needed.
Before parting ways, after about 20 minutes, I asked Shelly if I could take a picture of her and Niko on their beautiful bench. I told her our chance encounter had touched me deeply, and I wanted the opportunity to share it with others. She added me on Instagram. I hope she reads this and knows how much our meeting meant. I hope I see her again.
I’ve never fully believed that things happen for a reason, but after yesterday, I found myself leaning in that direction. Perhaps we are all gently guided to reminders, like the words on that plaque, whispering to us when we need them most:
You’re lovely just the way you are.
Do you believe that things happen for a reason?
#fuckcancer #mentalhealth #chanceencounters #everythinghappensforareason #sixteenmilecreek #hiking #nature #rwostrangers #memorial #plaque #grief #meaningful #blogger #itsoktonotbeok #youareenough #beloved #gentlereminders
@shellypetruskavich @passengermusic
YouAreEnough 