On Coincidences - Both Audio and Text - True Story

This is a totally true episode from our 40 years spent collecting antiques - You never know for sure what lays ahead in life, my friend… And here’s a tale I love to tell, and it’s true, I swear to God! It all began one autumn day, in 1965. My wife and I were wandering through a meadow near Cape Cod, And the conversation started when a jovial little man Asked if I would like to see - “an ancient fishing rod”! We’d gone to countless “antiques” shows, favoring those outdoors, And, having walked since early morn, the time had come to eat. I picked out a picnic table, clean and bathed with sun, And as Connie stood in line to order, I saved her a seat. We had no way of knowing about the turn our path would take To change our search dramatically with whom we were to meet. “This is one I’ve hunted for years,” the man began, “and I got it for a price I couldn’t believe. What a find! Are you and your wife collectors?” he eagerly inquired. “My wife and I would like to sit here too, if you don’t mind.” “Certainly”, I told the man…“it’s nice here in the sun.” And then went on to tell him, “I have never seen that kind! “That’s got be an old one,” I went on…“it’s very cool, and I know well the way it makes a true collector feel To find a certain piece that they’ve been looking for for years! I see it even has a very special-looking reel, And I think you said the price was good, which makes it extra sweet. It always makes it better when you get a super deal!” “My name’s Robert Potter,” he proclaimed, as we shook hands. “I see you’ve got a fancy dovetailed box there…that looks old!” “My wife and I are hooked on antique billiard things,” I said, “But all we do is buy and trade…and nothing’s ever sold. These are ivory pool balls…it’s a perfect numbered set, And to me and her a find like this is worth its weight in gold! “And you know what…I think we’ve got a really fancy reel. We bought it at an auction…there was almost no one there! If you’ve got a card with your address, we’ll send you photos. We paid eleven dollars. Its condition’s pretty fair. We wouldn’t want a profit. It’s an awfully pretty piece. It never hurts to look, and I suspect it could be rare!” “Hey, that’s really nice,” he said, “and when my wife arrives, We’ll get each others information…what is there to lose? And I believe my wife and I are ready to dispose of two or three nice items that I’ll bet you folks could use. My father was a champion back in 1885! He won a lot of money - and some fancy trophy cues!” “Oh my God, you’re kidding!” were the first words from my mouth. “But aren’t they family heirlooms? Are you sure they are for sale?” “Me and Helen have no kids,” he said….“we’ll mail you pictures.” Then Connie arrived with food and noted, “Honey…you look pale!” That was when I filled her in on the so-ironic-details… And this would prove to be -- just the beginning -- of our tale! When his wife returned we quietly sat and ate our dinners, All of us exchanging pleasant comments now and then. We didn’t expect to more than one day send each other photos, But this would prove to be a week like none had ever been. We’d found a lead for billiard things while sitting there at lunch… And destiny would have us cross their friendly path again! Seven full days later, as we browsed an antiques mall in northern Maine, I headed back to where the restrooms were. And when the door I stood beside swung open, I was stunned. (It has to be the hand of fate when things like this occur.) Both of us would burst out laughing. It was quite a shock! We were standing there in disbelief, for it was…her! Mrs. Potter! There she was! She smiled and joked, “Well, hi! I can’t believe the two of you have followed us this far! I know it has to be, I’d say, at least six hundred miles From the antiques show met you at last week to where we are! You and Connie simply must come out and talk to Bob, He’s puttin’ a couple o’ fishin’ things he bought into the car! We don’t live that far from here. We’ll make it home tonight. Maybe you and Connie could find time to stop and look. Bob could show the cues to you, and, with a little luck, Maybe you can spot the reel you spoke of in his book.” And that’s exactly what we did, and I will tell you now… The time we spent with Bob and Helen was the best we took. We purchased all the trophy cues…and they’re among our best. And Bob was thrilled to get the reel that we would later send. To think it all began when we would share a picnic table Several hundred miles from where we wound up in the end. We learned that fate can intervene when folks are simply nice, And benefits are often reaped from the social times we spend. Take the time to visit when you get the chance to do it. Don’t discuss religion, or your politics, just chat! Talk about the fish you lost, the weather, or antiques… Anything to “shoot the bull”, and simply, “chew the fat”… ‘Cause you can make a friend of any-one, at any-time… And, as we learned, it doesn’t really matter where you’re at! PS: I've now got 4 new Audio-CDs - @ 4 1/2 hours each = (62 diversely varied pieces). They’re listed on EBAY - under - “Mark Stellinga Poetry” - or available by simply contacting me at -- mark@writerofbooks.com -- should those of you who enjoy listening to poems as well as reading them - and particularly those of you that travel - care to be so entertained. (We use safe and simple - PayPal) Cheers, Mark