Serendipity

 By Belinda


Yesterday morning, a little revived, we dropped into the Kingfisher Centre in Redditch. 


We walked towards Esquires, the coffee shop in the middle of  the centre, scanning the tables for people we might recognize.


Esquires is a "hub," a place where people gather daily to have a cup of coffee or tea and chat with whoever happens by. Yesterday we found six of our old friends who had just said, "I bet that Rob, Paul and Belinda will drop in today!"


We met John and Marguerita (leaning on the railing above.) John and Paul apprenticed together for five years in the needle industry from which Redditch supplied the world with needles. Best friends back then, John and Paul were best men at one another's weddings. 43 years later both marriages have passed the test of time. 


In front of John and Marguerita is David Vaughan, who pastored the church in Redditch that Paul's father founded, for 39 years. On his right is John MacFarland, an unbelievable 78 years old, who is married to a distant cousin of Paul's.


To the right is Hans Boot, another old friend, song writer and guitarist, who used to sing on the youth worship team with my friend Eileen and me. The guy below, with dark glasses, who looks very much like David, is his twin brother Brian.


We laughed at jokes that flew in rapid fire sequence; and reminisced as years melted away in our memory.





Comments

Anonymous said…
When we have relationships, we are rich beyond measure! Enjoy your time.
Belinda said…
So true Anonymous friend. We met more friends today--in a fruit and nut shop. Hmmmm. :)
Great photos, lovely to see that connections last over time. Also checked the webcam last night and discovered that Alvechurch is dark by night!
Susan said…
Sigh! I know EXACTLY where you were! :)
Darren said…
Great to see Brian and David... Brian spoke to me in my prodigal days, reminding me that God doesn't give up in His pursuit of His own. I am now a minister of a church in Cumbria.

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