Timing

Timing is everything. Ask the person who missed his flight only to later hear that it crashed, with no survivors.

Or the person who stayed home sick on 9-11, instead of going to work at the twin towers.

Sometimes, most times, we never find out why things turn out the way they do. It is rare that we are aware of a car swerving and missing us by a second, or a tree branch falling right after we walk by. These little things are miracles that we may never know about. It is called nature. And that is why we say that everything that happens is Hashgacha Pratis. Divine providence. Because even if we don't know why things happen, G-d always does.

I left my apartment for the sole purpose of walking down the block to give someone something. I saw my friend across the street whom I haven't seen in a long time. Random occurrence? I think not.

I leave my house every day at approximately the same time. I generally don't notice people around me. In the morning I usually listen to music as I walk. But somehow I noticed a mother walking her child to camp. He was wearing the bright orange t-shirt from the day camp that my brothers went to as kids. And that was it.

Then I noticed her the next day. And the day after that. I wondered if she ever noticed me too. It seemed like I could sort of measure my time by her. We passed the same corner at pretty much the same time every day.

And then the other day, I didn't see her. For a few blocks. And then there she was. Was I early? Was she late? I don't know. I find it interesting that you can measure things by time. And routine.

I see the same orange car parked in the same spot every day. And the same yellow car. Sometimes I notice the same people whom I saw pass by the day before. I see the same mother waiting with her two daughters for the bus every day.

Routine. I used to think it was synonymous with boring, and predictable. But now, it is familiar and comfortable. I like being on time, I like having a schedule, I like the fact that people are expecting me to show up and do a good job.

Maybe one day I will say hi to the lady walking her son to camp. Maybe we will become friends of sorts.

And maybe I will remain a silent observer, watching things around me occur seemingly on their own. But I will look up and wink, cuz I will know who is making it all happen.