Something New

I wrote the story below about a month after Ruth passed away, and included it in my book, “Pondering Life’s Lessons.” Not long after sharing it, a friend gave me a book called “3:16” by Max Lucado. I began reading it but never got around to finishing.

Recently, while clearing out my Florida home to make space for things from Michigan, I found the book and was reminded of my story. Later that day, while on my computer, I stumbled across a folder of nearly seventy numbered audio files I’d recorded for the audio version of “Pondering Life’s Lessons”. Out of curiosity, I clicked one, and it turned out to be the same story. Having two 3:16 connections in just a few hours felt too strange to be a coincidence.

After revisiting the story, I started noticing some curious number patterns. My current Florida address is 3305, and Ruth and I moved here from a home with the number 3503. I’d noticed the similarity during construction, pointed it out to Ruth, but never thought much of it after that.

And now, I recalled that our house number at 316 Grand Point Drive became 15176, and the Michigan condo I’m selling is 12176. The numbers are too close to ignore.

I don’t know what this all means, perhaps nothing. But then again, the spiritual side of me believes Ruth pokes herself into my life every now and then. This may be one of those moments.

3:16

The last time I heard from Ruth was through a text the afternoon of her accident. She made the trip to the Mt. Pleasant casino on “gas card” giveaway days. She gave the cards to our grandson, Brady. Before heading to the casino, she played a domino game called Mexican Train with several ladies at the Tullymore Country Club.

Her last text read as follows: “Standing in line to get my gas card. Played Mexican train today and won 5 out of 6 games…go figure…no money just the thrill of the win.”

I shared the text with Elizabeth a few days later. She asked what time Ruth sent it. It was 3:16. BZ’s eyes widened as she said, “That was our original address on Grand Point Drive.” Indeed, it was. 316 Grand Point Drive was where Ruth and I moved when I took the job in Addison. David was two and a half, Elizabeth six months, and Michael was just a twinkle in his father’s eye.

Ruth and I spent forty-three years there. Consumers Energy changed the neighborhood house numbers as the area grew and a larger span of numbers was required. We went from 316 to 3160 and, ultimately 15176.

I shared the story with my friend, Gary, the week before I headed to Florida. Gary had considered becoming a priest early in life, so he said, “I wonder what bible verse 316 is. John is the most popular book.”

I looked up John 3:16 and discovered I knew it. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

My spiritual side was open to considering that Ruth’s text at 3:16, being the same as our house address, and the most popular bible verse might all be connected. It was too much of a coincidence to ignore. And then there’s this.

My mom purchased a Mother’s Day gift for Ruth in 1999. She wrote an inscription. Mother’s Day 1999 Hope you enjoy writing in this journal. Love Mom and Dad. My dad died several weeks later, on June 27th.

I found the journal the other day while going through a basket of Mother’s Day and birthday cards Ruth had received and saved. There are about fifteen entries written by Ruth. I’m going to share them in a series of blogs I’ll call In Her Own Words.  The first page of the journal is called: Personal Portrait. This is what Ruth wrote twenty-seven years ago.

These are the facts. 316 was our house number when we moved to Addison in 1977. It was also the time she sent me her final text on September 27th. John 3:16 is the most popular verse in the Bible, and in 1999 Ruth wrote it was her favorite Bible verse.

Perhaps it’s all just a great coincidence, but perhaps it’s not.

On Friday, I’m taking my grandson Brady to Las Vegas. He’s the same grandson that Ruth stood in line for on gas card giveaway right before she sent her final text.  He turned twenty-one three weeks ago.  David, Michael and Sutton are going too.

Ruth and I went to Vegas dozens of times over our fifty-one years together including the twenty-first birthdays of David, Elizabeth and Michael..  It’s also where we eloped. She’s poking me again and this series of number recollections may be her way of joining us on Brady’s trip.

I think it’s time to finish Max Lucado’s book so I’m taking it with me to Vegas. Who knows, I might learn something new.