Premonition

When I was thirty-eight, my family and I went to George and Arleen’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. It was hosted in their home which was tucked back off the street. In the backyard, a stream gurgled by, and a redwood porch with built-in seating straddled the stream. Tall sycamore trees shaded the yard… I felt like I had walked into a private park. 

As Arleen showed me around the house, I thought; I would love to live in this house. I like this floor plan, and I’ll probably live here someday!

Nonsense, I retorted to that crazy voice in my head. Where did that thought come from? I have two children and am married. This idea is nuts.

George and Arleen were mentors in our church, and I attended some of their early morning prayer groups in their home. My kids grew up, I went through a nasty divorce and retired at age fifty-five with a limited income. A friend from church called me, “You know George died last year and Arleen is lonesome. Would you want to live with her?”  Hmm. Maybe.

I called Arleen and we readily agreed to try being ‘housemates’ for a year.  I moved in when I was fifty-five. Arleen was seventy-five. She was a treasured mentor in my life. We became dear friends, and soon she became my mom. We lived together for seven years!

Where did that voice in my head come from? God finds ways to give me hints as to my future.