A major component of my jobs was to observe and discern pattens. I didn’t realize this until just today that I honed this ability from my first two lab jobs out of college where the work was repetitive. One of the reasons why I was quick in my casework was I noticed the patterns in not only facts but also the law. This ability I used in my PhD work as well as in NYC where this was my stated job function, at least on paper. 

I started to do that with my own life – looking for pattens – and realized a lot. There were always two parallel streams – one that was dark and one that was light. Each location I was sent to always had a surprise waiting for me – a good one. At Maryland, it was working with the youth at church. Indiana, teaching international student and advising undergraduates, Minnesota, my DA mentor, Philadelphia, starting an outreach program for Asian immigrants, being noticed by the elected DA, Boston, the daughter, teaching, and getting to do international work. Even NYC, where I ended up in a difficult environment, what I got to work on was truly unique. I had access to the inner workings of the NYPD and its secrets. The son also arrived here. Both of the kids were surprises. They weren’t accidents, just weren’t planned. 

And even now, back in Maryland. This year of storytelling was a surprise. I’ve never written this way before. The biggest surprise, so far, is unbelievably you, I told you back in the spring that you were probably the most unlikely of all – right out of left field. What I’m writing you – it’s not me holding the pen – I think it’s God, I felt led to write you and there is no planned structure. I just start and the words flow out and somehow they all tie together somehow at the end. It truly is mysterious and magical.This is where the hope lies. That no matter where we end up or go throug.  God is present. Not in just an ethereal sense but a concrete one. He is a God of surprises.  And ultimately, to God, there may not really be any surprises.