Amazing Timing

There's a time for everything and it always thrills me when I have the chance to be a part of amazing timing.  Some recent examples:

• A friend I've not seen in over 3 years came to mind recently, and I sent her a note.  It arrived when she was in the hospital, brightening her day.
• My trips to the post office are infrequent.  My attempt yesterday to assess postage for a package to Daddy was thwarted by an out of order self-service machine.  Thus, I ventured today to the post office nearest my office, at the end of the traditional lunch hour.  This post office had technology issues, and could only accept cash and predetermined package sizes.  And, the parking lot was full of folks trying to transact normal business.  Though I've never previously seen a work colleague at a post office, today I did. A long-time colleague, a few folks ahead of me, turned to leave and return with cash, when I offered cash to complete her task.
• A friend and I were going to see a movie at our neighborhood theater this weekend.  Because of the rain, she was planning to pick me up.  However, the rain stopped, and I started walking meeting her near the theater, which saved critical minutes with her unplanned demands.  

Sometimes perfect planning reveals itself after our plans are altered.

Beautiful Timing

Though I was happy for Gar as he began his nice adventure yesterday, my heart always hurts when I must be apart from a loved one.  Fortuitous timing brought the arrival, within an hour of his departure, of a beautiful monthly floral delivery from Julia.

When we do nice things for others we don't always know how significant the impact may be.

Perfect Timing - Planned or Uniquely Presented

Today, while running an errand, I fortuitously or divinely, ran into a dear friend whom I generally see only a few times a year.  As soon as I saw her, it was obvious that something was quite wrong.  Another few seconds at check-out or any other diversion would have caused us to miss the chance to visit.  And neither of us had ever visited this store during our lunch hour. Though neither of us expected this opportunity, it was perfectly timed and definitely meant to be.

When work trauma presents, it's often helpful to have an interested third party available as a biased, but helpful adviser.  In just a few minutes, we were able to construct a productive action plan.

Though it worked for us, we don't have to rely on fate or divine intervention, when we are overwhelmed.  Those who care about us are willing to find time to help us sort through life's issues.

Perfect timing can be planned or uniquely presented.

Goldilocks Timing

I hosted a luncheon today for three of my friends to celebrate a birthday.  One friend arrived 20 minutes early, another arrived right on time and the final guest arrived 20 minutes late.  I served my early friend a Bloody Mary and told her I'd be back to join her as soon as I put on my lipstick.  When my late friend called to say she was on her way I made her Bloody Mary and had it waiting for her arrival.  Cheers to friends however we get to greet them!

Whether it's a luncheon, business meeting, social event or family meal, flexibly addressing the needs of others creates an environment where relationships can flourish.

Divine Timing

This is the fifth year that Sterling Bank has been recognizing our 50+ hour community volunteers with the chance to designate a $500 grant in their honor to a non-profit organization.  One of our volunteers submitted a grant application for an ineligible organization two weeks ago.  Last week she resubmitted for an eligible organization, with a request to make the award in memory of her son.  I approved the request last Friday, but a printer issue prevented the notification letters to the recipient organization and the honored banker from being submitted until Monday.  The honored banker received her interoffice notification Tuesday, on the second anniversary of her son's death. 

Every day is difficult when grieving.  Significant calendar dates are often more difficult than others.  I was stunned that our timing delays caused notification to arrive on a date that was particularly meaningful to this special banker.

Uncanny Timing

I placed a call this morning to a family friend and had to leave a message.  A few minutes later I received an email message from someone by the same name.  My first thought, as I previewed the message, was that I'd gotten an email response to my voice message. Not so -  I didn't actually know the sender of the email.  I just googled my friend's name and got 3.88 million hits, and another search revealed that his is the 17th most common surname.  Oddly enough, I've never called this friend nor received an email message from this stranger before.  Though there are a lot of folks by this name, I find it amazing that I initiated a call to one of them and received a call from another within minutes.