Manna

Yesterday, one of my colleagues from the Columbia Pike Artist Studios joined me as we walked to the Thai grocery store downstairs from CPAS to get some lunch. On our way, we told one another the unusual dreams we had each had the night before. Hers was about her daughter. Mine was that a man from the bank called to tell me that I had no more money. It was horrible. I woke up very glad that it had been a dream.

Right after telling her about that dream, I looked down at the sidewalk. There was a neatly folded $20 bill! I picked it up, examined it - it was actual currency! I looked around for other people – there were none. I looked around for a hidden Candid Camera – there was none.

“WOW!” I said. “This is incredible. Let’s split it.” She then noticed that there was another $20 in the middle of Columbia Pike. I waited for the traffic to pass and picked it up. We found 2 more: $80 total!!!

We decided to use it on food – our lunches. She then gave me all the change. I argued, but she insisted. I decided to “pay it forward.” Had there been a homeless person on the street, I would have given some to him/her. As there wasn’t, I decided to give some to Arlington Thrive, a non-profit that gives one-time financial aid to people in danger of being homeless, due to unexpected medical expenses, or other reversals of fortune that would threaten their home.

I also decided to support a dear friend from Portland: she and her husband had won a Grammy in the ‘80’s and were now putting their group back together to produce a CD. I always like to contribute to the arts!

Although my windfall seemed great, my contributions to these two worthy causes feels paltry. Nonetheless, it is comforting to know that the streets of Arlington, Virginia are paved with gold that seemingly falls from the sky in the guise of $20 bills. This experience nourished my soul just as the delicious Thai chilcken nourished my body.

Many people believe there is no such thing as an accident or things happening “by chance.” This premise, I now concede, is food for thought.

                -May 17, 2016  10:40 a.m. at home where I live