In early June, I arrived in Redding, Ca, the first leg of my solo road trip. During my trip planning, I picked Redding because it was about 5 hours from my first stop and I didn’t want to drive further than that in a day. It seemed like a nice little town and I was hoping to find a place to couch surf for the night to save money. I hadn’t had any luck so was looking into getting an Airbnb or hotel.
In March, an article author Amy Rosenthal wrote about her cancer diagnosis and her husband went viral. Since I’m in the early literacy field, I’ve read her children’s books but didn’t realize she also wrote books for adults so I decided to check one out. I picked up Textbook, a “beautiful exploration into the many ways we are connected on this planet.”
Throughout the book, you can text the author to interact with her. It was bittersweet since, at the time of my reading, she had just passed away. There is a chapter on Serendipity and readers are encouraged to submit their own stories of serendipity, which I didn’t have at the time.
Later on in the book there’s a chapter on social studies and at the end it has a place where you can be matched via email with two other readers. It says, “Perhaps the three of you will become dear, digital companions. Or start a business. Or end up vacationing together in the Caribbean.”
I obviously texted and a few days later, got 2 email addresses sent to me. I started the conversation with the other two ladies and we chatted back and forth. One lived in Chicago and one lived in California.
Igo, CA to be exact.
Population: 625.
Distance from Redding: 11 miles.
And this is that lady, Jill. (on the left) My road trip had long been planned out at the time we had first connected and I would be passing through Redding for one day only. Jill said I was welcome to come if it was between June 4 and June 20th. Well guess when that single day was that I would be passing through?
June 5th.
I normally would never do anything like this, but I got outside of my comfort zone and met an amazing lady. Two completely different walks of life and stages in life, but we enjoyed our brief time together.
Life can be great and surprising if you open yourself up to new experiences.
Just wanted to share a feel good story. Hope you enjoy.