Here are two amazing love surprises that came into my life.
How do you get a grandson? Just teach a seminar about Desire in The Netherlands, of course! During a “Desire Marks the Path seminar in Utrecht two years ago I mentioned that I did not have grandchildren. A lovely woman named Els came up at a break and told me that her son, Siem, did not have any grandmothers. “Hmm...” we said smiling.
Els went home and told Siem, “I think I found a grandmother for you, but there is one problem – she lives in America.” “America?!?” Siem replied with a big grin.
And so we began. Siem drew grandson-pictures for me. I sent him some cards and a grandmotherly birthday present.
This Christmas Els, Siem and his dad, Kees came to visit. My son Barnaby was with his girlfriend’s family and I shared the holiday with my surprise Dutch family. The amazing thing is that from the moment they arrived we felt like family – all 4 of us. Here we are at a favorite Cathedral city Mexican restaurant the night before they left.
By definition, love surprises come when you least expect them. A couple of weeks ago, I spoke to a very large group at the Betty Ford Center’s Alcohol Awareness Hour about “Making Peace with the Past.”
I talked about my father, and writing “Travelling Free: How to Recover from the Past.” (order info at http://www.mandyevans.com/ ). For the first time, I talked publicly about my childhood.
I told them that when I graduated from highschool, my father came and brought me a watch. I did not see him or hug him or hear him say how proud he was of me. My mother sent him away because he was drunk. I was mad at her and heartbroken for him.
At the end of the program a burly man, about my age, approached me. He said, "That story about when you graduated from highschool, that was for me. That was me, standing outside a chain-link fence with a bottle in my hand watching my child graduate. His eyes filled with tears and mine did too. We hugged each other and held on for a moment. It felt like being held in one big heart that encompassed all time and space to let a father and child share a love surprise about a highschool graduation -- and gratitude for making peace with the past.
Whether you are in a romantic relationship or on your own now, love is all around! Flowers and chocolates are nice to give and receive. Don’t forget to be open to giving a receiving amazing love surprises too -- far beyond anything you thought of.
I hope you will share your thoughts and love surprises here!
With an abundance of love for you,
Mandy