Many of us who have survived a life-threatening illness like cancer often delight in random encounters and the miraculous nature of life. This morning I walked my standard poodle pup Lewis to the dog park for our catch and release time. I throw, he catches, runs back and drops the ball next to me. Good dog.

This morning as we left the park, I noticed a man settled in the grass reading a book. Mind you, this was 8 am in the morning, the grass was wet and newly cut. I asked him what he was reading.

“The Bible.”

“Cool, I love the Bible! How inspiring.”

“The Bible is inspiring.”

I asked him his name and where he was from. Anthony, from Detroit by way of Oklahoma.

Anthony shared: “I’m a vet and stay at veteran shelters as I go along. I’ve never been to Santa Fe and wanted to see it.”

No car, no phone, only his Bible. A spiritual journey of Self.

“You must see the Upaya Zen Center” I suggested. “It’s beautiful, peaceful and welcomes all beliefs. Wait here … I will get my car and drive you up the hill.”

Lewis and I walked home, got the car and picked Anthony from Detroit up at the park. What a lovely conversation we had about his service to our country, his love for dogs, a broken but amicable marriage, his kids and his spiritual journey of kindness.

I dropped him off, wished him well and suggested cash for an Uber back to his shelter. He said thank you …

“But I feel like a free loader …”

“If you are a free loader, then we are all. You served our country, you are inspiring me and THANK YOU.”

That was my Thursday morning … a random encounter of the miraculous kind.

Based on the teachings of Deepak Chopra. Today’s centering thought:

“Today I am open to the presence of miracles.”