I thought I would share a story with you today.
Well, to be honest Going Gently is all about stories...but this one is true and is one I couldn't quite share at the time it happened.
I'm sat in a park in St Asaph.
St Asaph is the " city" where I was born.
The cathedral bell has just rung a sombre 9 am and I'm sipping coffee at a picnic table.
The sun is shining!
The city, is infact the size of a large village and I'm here waiting for Bluebell to have her brakes repaired at a nearby garage
My story starts two years ago.
I was in a very bad place. My husband had just left me ...I had no job
He had taken the car we both used and so I was reliant on friends like jason who loaned me their cars to catch up on the basics .
More importantly I had no money.
No money which to buy a car and certainly no money to pay a solicitor
My solicitor is based in St Asaph
Right next to the cathedral
I remember the day when I saw her for the first time.
She was full of very Welsh sympathy, had an elasticaed waist on her pants and offered constant cups of coffee....
Welsh sympathy often means repeating the word " Bechod!" In a supportive way
Anyhow, I digress.
She informed me that the divorce could cost me a small fortune and I remember thinking at the time how the fuck was I going to afford that as well as financing a new car which I so desperately needed.
It was a very bleak day indeed!
Then serendipity reared her fortunate head, as she has done so many times for me these last couple of years!
I returned home after that first consultation to a phone message...a phone message from a solicitor's firm in Manchester. A solicitor that specialised in PPI
I had requested a PPI review several months before and had totally forgotten about it, but the message was real
" you have a claim mr Gray " it said " several in fact going back into the 1990s!"
Even the clerk sounded excited
I rang back and told her I would kiss her on the lips if what she said was true
She told me it was true with a titter!
That money paid for Bluebell
Outright!!!
It also got me onto my feet
Bluebell was my saviour. Under her steam I found a crappy job which boosted my self worth and with her I managed to sort out vet runs for poorly dogs, solicitor meetings and my independence.
Bluebell and serendipity have been good friends to me
I won't forget either of them x
Ever x
Well, to be honest Going Gently is all about stories...but this one is true and is one I couldn't quite share at the time it happened.
St Asaph is the " city" where I was born.
The cathedral bell has just rung a sombre 9 am and I'm sipping coffee at a picnic table.
The sun is shining!
The city, is infact the size of a large village and I'm here waiting for Bluebell to have her brakes repaired at a nearby garage
My story starts two years ago.
I was in a very bad place. My husband had just left me ...I had no job
He had taken the car we both used and so I was reliant on friends like jason who loaned me their cars to catch up on the basics .
More importantly I had no money.
No money which to buy a car and certainly no money to pay a solicitor
My solicitor is based in St Asaph
Right next to the cathedral
I remember the day when I saw her for the first time.
She was full of very Welsh sympathy, had an elasticaed waist on her pants and offered constant cups of coffee....
Welsh sympathy often means repeating the word " Bechod!" In a supportive way
Anyhow, I digress.
She informed me that the divorce could cost me a small fortune and I remember thinking at the time how the fuck was I going to afford that as well as financing a new car which I so desperately needed.
It was a very bleak day indeed!
Then serendipity reared her fortunate head, as she has done so many times for me these last couple of years!
I returned home after that first consultation to a phone message...a phone message from a solicitor's firm in Manchester. A solicitor that specialised in PPI
I had requested a PPI review several months before and had totally forgotten about it, but the message was real
" you have a claim mr Gray " it said " several in fact going back into the 1990s!"
Even the clerk sounded excited
I rang back and told her I would kiss her on the lips if what she said was true
She told me it was true with a titter!
That money paid for Bluebell
Outright!!!
It also got me onto my feet
Bluebell was my saviour. Under her steam I found a crappy job which boosted my self worth and with her I managed to sort out vet runs for poorly dogs, solicitor meetings and my independence.
Bluebell and serendipity have been good friends to me
I won't forget either of them x
Ever x
Bluebell sleeping in the shade of the church elms today
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes I remember that you've always suggested that
DeleteThough I never believed it at the time x
DeleteOk, I believe you now. I thought I hadn't fitted in with the blog post so deleted it. I don't personally like the word serendipity, it had no existence in my vocabulary when I was growing up. I like coincidences and fate though. x
DeleteCoincidence seems too cold a word for my good fortune
DeleteHow about synchronicity? "Coincidence and synchronicity are both defined as 'striking occurrences of two or more events at one time'. The difference is that coincidence is perceived as chance or luck while synchronicity implies the presence of a deeper intelligence at work."
DeleteYes I like that
DeleteYes, I shared that word recently on my blog.
DeleteYou need to help out Susan in Ambridge. She is having problems with the word, serendipitous.
DeleteBut I haven't got any dirty stories about chilli con carne to share
DeleteLife does throw you curved balls just when you need them, PPI refunds helped us. You have come a long way, it's great to see you relinquish all the baggage or the recent years, now go and enjoy yourself, because as they say ' your worth it'
ReplyDeleteI have a couple more stories on serendipity....I'll save one for Christmas
DeleteLook forward to them
DeleteAt times like that it's easy to think there's something bigger than us at work.
ReplyDeleteI agree....I don't believe in a god but I do l I think, now believe in karma
DeleteI love a happy ending x
ReplyDeleteI'm not dead yet lol
DeleteIt was Personal Protection Insurance that saved the planet - not Superman.
ReplyDelete:-) Thanks for spelling it out for us non-Brits.
DeleteForgive me not to explain
DeleteYes, thank you, YP. I was going to ask what PPI is, as well.
DeletePlus ... interpret "Bechod" for us non-Welsh speaking folks!
It means 'bless'. Usually said with a tilt of the head to the right.
DeleteYes bless or shame ...almost oh dear !
DeleteThank you! 0
DeleteSerendipity (how I love that word) at its very best.
ReplyDeleteI love it too for obvious reasons
DeleteI applied for PPI on behalf of my stepmother who had dementia on the deadline, more out of a sense of guilt that I had promised my Dad I would take care of her if he died first. As he was 15 years older than she was, it was a fair bet that he would and, ofcourse, he did, some 25 years ago. It turned out that a large well known company owed her a five figure sum which is currently being paid into her account. I keep thinking that I nearly missed out on her chance for repayment. 😊
ReplyDeleteHe would have been proud of u
DeleteThank you John. 😊
DeleteLife often works that way doesn’t it ? I just want to say how brilliantly you have coped with everything. You are a hard worker in every respect and I always think that things work out for hard workers. Have a large gin tonight and a bloody massive scotch egg !!! XXXX
ReplyDeleteThank you, that means a great deal
DeleteFate, luck, good fortune - could do with borrowing some of yours at the moment John. Things (usually) have a way of working out - you had a rough go of it but now you're sailing away from stormy weather... ( think tune of 'Sailing By' ).
ReplyDeleteDrop us an email .x
DeletePs I thought you were going to reveal that your solicitor's elasticated waist band snapped, spilling coffee over you and leaving her standing in her knickers. Slightly disappointed!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair she was pregnant
DeleteThank you for sharing this and all your other stories. Heartwarming
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice memory today
Deleteand look how far you have come in 2 years!
ReplyDeleteIt's been an interesting journey x
DeleteIt's all about having faith in yourself. It's worked umpteen times for us in the past and now for me on my own too.
ReplyDeleteStill say you should write a book - you tell your stories so well. (That book on your table is on my bookshelf - it's very exciting getting over the guilt of buying new books after 40 years)
It's a lovely read..did you enjoy it ?
Deletestill to read
DeleteSo proud of you. You can overcome anything! Very happy you are in the place you are in.
ReplyDeleteThank you, how kind x
DeleteThe planets were aligned that day just for you, Mr.Gray!
ReplyDeleteSomething was good for me........
DeleteGood things happen, to good people. Glad it is time for you to tell this story.
ReplyDeleteLike I said David.......it's a nice memory now
DeleteThat's lovely (old) news! My sister-in-law took up one of those companies who search for PPI on a no-find, no-fee basis. Even after their cut she ended up with a few thousand pounds!
ReplyDeleteMoney you never expected
DeleteI am glad that things worked out for you and pulled you out of the dark place you were in. You deserve good things.
ReplyDeleteXx
DeleteI am a regular reader but rarely comment. I would just like to thank you for making me smile or laugh or cry everyday. You make my days better.
ReplyDeleteI hope you laughed today x
DeleteYou have so many friends who wanted to help from both sides of the pond and were /are so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteparsnip xx
And many did. So very much
DeleteThe day when the tide turned and life came back.
ReplyDeleteThings turn on a sixpence dont they?
DeleteYour blog mates have been with you and travelled with you with their concerns. John Gray of Wales not living in the wee Welsh village with the unpronounceable name was always unimaginable.
ReplyDeleteThank you andrew
DeleteAnd my savior was my trusty Subaru Forester which was with me when I sold my house and moved everything through a snow storm. Alas, I now longer have her (I named her Barbara) as she was 10 years old and falling apart when I got a new car. I identified with your story!
ReplyDeleteI thought you might mick x
DeleteJohn we were all there with you in spirit at that time and all of us would have helped - I am sure you know that but were too proud to ask. We have gone through the last two years with you in spirit - that and the dogs (and cat) have pulled you through. Now we are all so pleased to see you coming out the other side. x
ReplyDeleteAs you are pat xxx
DeleteI know this may sound fanciful John but I think Archangel Michael could possibly have brought Bluebell into your life x
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that you believe that..I wish I did ...but it did feel that something extra was lying me out that day
DeleteTo be honest I'm not sure I do John but I'm open minded-"there's more to life than we know"my mum used to say or"what's it all about Alfie"x
DeleteSo love this! I remember your telling the story at dinner with us, and it warmed my heart then too.
ReplyDeletePS: Bluebell is cute as a bug's ear. (This is a very odd and old American expression seldom used these days. In fact, this is the first time I've ever used it. I wonder what came over me...)
ReplyDeleteI'm full of stories as you know xx
DeleteSo there IS a God! (though I still very much doubt it). Happy, happy, happy for you in what was your time of deep distress and dire need!
ReplyDeleteGod, karma, luck? Who knows
DeleteSerendipity, my favourite word. Good to see your bicycle strapped on the back of Bluebell.
ReplyDeleteYes I've been biking today x
DeleteWhat a lovely story! It just goes to show that sometimes "what goes around, comes around."
ReplyDeleteSerendipity is also my favorite word. It's a wonderful happen-so but it's also pleasant to say.
I'm happy that you and Bluebell found each other!
Hugs!
A lovely story of a well deserved boost to your changing circumstances.
ReplyDeleteNow it seems just a nice memory x
DeleteBluebell was a blessing in a difficult time and one that you deserved!
ReplyDeleteI often think the right things, happen to the right people at the right time. And sometimes taking a leap of faith, and then waiting for fate to acknowledge your bravery is the only way to get anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe universe works in it's own mysterious way.
If Alan hadn't filled his Yahoo Personals profile in saying that he had blonde hair and green eyes I never would have gotten in touch with him.
My first words to him were 'your eyes are BLUE' ... he hadn't realised that he'd ticked the 'green' box by mistake. I really don't like blue eyed blondes, and never would have stopped by his profile if he had put the right colour!!
This amused me sue x
DeleteIt's so pretty out there, nature is beautiful. 💚💚💚 Perfect for relaxation, to refresh and of course, restart. 🙂
ReplyDeleteAnd hot
DeleteI love when things work out like this.
ReplyDeleteA good story. Bluebell is a beauty. A saviour at a time in need.
ReplyDeleteToward her end, my mother got fuzzier and fuzzier. After her death her lawyer and I set out too find The safe deposit box she left a key for. We walked too every bank in her neighborhood and didn't find one that matched the number on the key. About two years later, a lady with the same last name as mine called me. Someone had called her and offered her money from my mother. Today I am sitting in a three story condo we bought with mother's lost money.
ReplyDeleteI read every note to find out what a PPL was. I just think you are a very special person.
Way to go!
DeleteI am pondering the remark near the top that goes: "Going Gently is all about stories...but this one is true..." This one? But? Hmm...
ReplyDeleteAll my stories are true Andrew.
DeleteJust some, not many, are embroidered for dramatic effect
I also had no idea what PPL was, so I'm glad it was explained. I love stories like this. Karma was certainly kind to you that day, and you deserved it!
ReplyDeleteI hope your ex gets some balancing karma eventually. We should all get a taste of what we deserve in life.
I'm wondering how the elasticated waistband is relevant to the story?
ReplyDeleteDo only a certain type of person wear these? If so what type is that?
Perhaps she is a lady who bakes lots of delicious cakes Bree?x
DeleteOn reflection I think she was pregnant
DeleteI never asked her
I wasn't in a good place to ask. I just remember noticing
That's all Bree
Nothing more judgemental than that
annony-I don't think it's necessarily that the lady has a larger than average waistline but she may have found that she has come to a time in her life for more comfortable attirement x
DeleteI think the woman's elastic waistband was shorthand for John seeing that she was a kindred spirit who would understand him and his crotch holed sweats and crocs, someone who would be on his side.
DeleteThere is a saying "fortune favours the prepared" or words to that effect. A lot of serendipity is caused by people themselves thinking and working to make things better, not always knowing if the seeds they plant will grow. But there is also that little something that sometimes comes along at just the right time. I'm so glad you had both hard work and serendipity on your side.
ReplyDeleteI work for a very large financial firm in the Unclaimed Assets Unit. I have so many happy stories of informing people of money they didn't know they had coming to them. So happy to hear you were a recipient of good news when you needed it the most.
ReplyDeletep.s. To everyone out there in the U.S. reading this, go to missingmoney.com. You may find money for yourself!
ReplyDeleteI too am glad things have worked out for you, together with many of your other friends on here as well.
ReplyDeleteBUT, and l know you won't want me to say this.. BUT, you should have had some help at the time with the finances of the animals, l remembered that was another worrying financial strain and l asked you at the time if you had help from the 'other party' and the answer was no.
When my son split from his partner, she kept the 2 cats, fair enough, they were inseperable, his ex sold some of my sons stuff to pay vet bills, he was cross, l sided with her, these things are important.
Sorry, but l had to say it, remove it if you want at least you know how l feel dear friend.
Tess xx
It's history now. He should have done a lot of things differently but at least the mortgage was paid.
DeleteThe other stuff is on his conscience ..or not as the case maybe
How wonderful John just when your were down in the dumps life turned a corner, you have accomplished so much since then, well done John. I think you wrote about that day you went and sat inside the church and a lady sensed your pain and held your hand??
ReplyDeleteShe gave me a tissue she was the coffee lady in the cathedral x
DeleteThat is such a poignant story. Loss, desperation, struggle, good fortune, perseverance, determination, success ... and all the while you “held fast to what is good”. I thought the description of the lawyer’s elastic waisted trousers was scene -setting - she wasn’t in a pencil line black skirt and high heels, she was real, approachable and honest. I know she was also costly, but she was a good choice. As was Bluebell!
ReplyDeleteI think she was pregnant but I wasn't in a place to ask. Her
DeleteSerendipity.,otherwise called a Cosmic Chuckle.
ReplyDeleteSending you down the other leg of the Trousers of Fate.
I like St Asaph
So do i
Delete"I found a crappy job which boosted my self worth "--are you referring to your current job at the hospice? They might not be happy you think it is a crap job? I have no idea what PPL is.
ReplyDeleteI think John means the one he had before that he wasn't all that into.
DeleteJo in Auckland
I was referring to the nursing home job and certainly not the hospice
DeletePPI was personal protection insurance which was often added to loans, credit cards , mortgages and the like without the customer knowing about it , often in the 1990s
DeleteAnd Bluebell now looking all outdoorsy, to boot! I'm so far down in the comments list I got to see Mary's photo, sitting by the sea at a picnic table. She's a lovely dog.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you have come out the other side of the dark place you were in. As someone else has said Good things happen to Good people and you Mr
ReplyDeleteGray are one of lifes good people.
I was trying to remember if anything like that has happened to me and the only thing I can remember is I went to a bookshop to buy The Secret and when I got there it was on special; I remarked to the bookseller "Well it works then" he had a wry smile on his face when I paid.
Jo in Auckland
This story made me smile. I love Bluebell.
ReplyDeleteHi hun, Such a sad day but one that you can now look back on and smile. You have come a long way and I am glad that life threw you flowers after your lemons.*hugs* Goldensunflowerx
ReplyDeleteNot sure you'll read this (I have no idea how blog comments actually get posted) but I hope you know you give me joy each day I read your posts. Rebuilding yourself and your life is hard but so worth it. ♥
ReplyDeleteI did read it Elle x
Delete