Heads Up From Charlotte

The other day I met Charlotte - a little 3-year-old girl who was with her mom in the chiropractic office where I work.

I told her I thought Charlotte was a beautiful name and that I knew some other Charlottes.

There was Charlotte from "Charlotte's Web" - who was a spider.  

There was a Charlotte from NYC - known as Lot or Lottie. 

There was also my Aunt Charlotte from Iowa - who was called Char.

Aunt Charlotte is my dad's 87-year-old sister.
 
Her home for the past several years has been an Assisted Living facility where - along with her family - she has been living with the many challenges of Alzheimer's.  

About an hour after talking with little Charlotte - I left for my lunch break.  I checked my cell phone for missed calls.  There was a voice message from my mom... 

...her message was to tell me that she had just been notified that my Aunt Charlotte had passed away.

So what was that all about?!  A coincidence?  A sign?  Many people would say it's nothing.

I tend to disagree.  I don't see the timing of the 'Charlotte' connection as insignificant.  I am drawn to embrace the mystery and wonder of moments like these.

Everyone has the capacity to experience wonder-full gifts - if hearts are open to receiving them.

So.....Godspeed Auntie Charlotte.  Enjoy a Highball and a lively game of Smear with dad and all the other rellies!

Thanks for the heads-up!