Connections - Day 20 - Trish

I had a challenging stranger connection today when I met Trish. She is a lovely woman from Ontario, NY and a total delight to talk with. What made this connection so challenging? She's one of those seasoned natural connectors who is able to turn a conversation around so the focus is off of her and on to the individual she's talking with - in this case that was me. I found myself thinking, "Wait, how did I end up talking about my life again? Tricky woman knows how to ask the right questions!" It was almost humorous, the two of us trying to redirect the conversation back to the other.

In spite of the challenge I was able to learn that Trish is a mother of two boys, Matthew and Nathan. She and her husband had another boy - their first - Joshua, but he was born with a heart defect that took his life after only 29 days. They hadn't realized there was a problem until shortly after birth - it was an extremely difficult season in their lives, but her testimony is that the grace of God carried them through. She is grateful for the gift of her two healthy boys.

Trish suffered another more recent loss: the death of her father, Art. He was diagnosed with diabetes five years ago, but this past winter he contracted pneumonia and died in February. She said she still struggles some with grief related to this recent loss. Her 75 year old mom is still alive, but in need of care as she is losing her memory. For now, Trish's younger sister, Donna is caring for their mom, but it has been challenging.

One other little tidbit of interesting information: Trish knows my mother in law as they attend the same church in the Rochester area. Trish works part time for their children's ministry, and my mother in law has served many, many years in that same program. Wow - it's a small world!!

In the midst of our conversation, I invited Trish to attend a special worship night at our church tonight and I'm happy to say that she accepted! :) I spoke with her afterwards and she said she was so grateful she came because she felt so refreshed from being in God's presence.

Thank you, Lord for the opportunity You provided for me to meet one of my sisters today! You're amazing and I love this family of Yours! (and I love You too!)