"Is that Ruth? What are you doing here?"

Boston being a popular second step after Provo, it's not surprising that I know people here, but some of the connections I have made have been so random. And surprising.

Here's a sampling of people I knew (or something) before I moved here:

Well, there's the obvious--Sherilyn. And she lives with Sarah C., who was a fellow English instructor (all 3 of us were).

My first Sunday I saw Vannary. We could make it simple and say I know her from a former ward (2004-2005). I do. But we connected there because she had served on her mission with my freshman roommate (Miriam, in CA). Then, a couple of years later, during my first year of law school I ran into her on campus. She was starting her MSW. With my then RS president/friend--Sara. And we'd see each other every so often. Besides enjoying seeing a familiar face, that connection was extra fun because Sherilyn didn't know that Vannary knew Sara (Sherilyn was Sara's counselor at the time).

Then, one meeting later (on the first Sunday) I looked up and saw Valerie. Valerie was an intern in Charlotte the same summer I was interning there. And we connected because we were both BYU interns in Charlotte that summer. That fall she lived in Nancy's ward in Provo. And here she is again. Oh yes, and when she saw me she said, "I was just telling a story about you in RS last week!" Really? Well, fortunately, no one knows the person in the story is me.

Next we have Wendy. Sherilyn had told me she was here, but then at Institute I saw her and we've had some quality visiting/reconnecting times since then. Wendy was a TA for my 1st year of law school writing class. Fortunately she wasn't the TA that I conferenced with. So we can be friends.

This past Sunday I switched to a new ward, so the connecting resumed. After Sacrament meeting various members of the welcoming committee came up to take care of me. The first one, Martha, was chatting with me and I asked her where she was from. When she said Wyoming, I asked which part. A little town called Lovell. Um, yes, I've heard of Lovell. My family lived there the past couple of years. Turns out, Father thinks he taught her little sister in his class. Benson and Hyrum know her well. She actually asked Benson on a date (he couldn't go because too young). Last night, after talking to our respective siblings, we compared notes and it turns out they really did know each other.

After church, I was visiting with a ward member and one of the sister missionaries came over to introduce herself. She mentioned that she'd only been out for a little while and I said--oh, maybe you met my cousin (Kathryn) in the MTC. Well, she more than met her, they were good friends. They write. Sister Heywood even wrote the home Muhlestein family.

Now, the best connecting story so far (I'm sure there'll be more before my life is done). I'll preface it with this: yesterday morning I went to a lesson with the sister missionaries. Being there, helping them, and especially talking to Sister Heywood (being new and all), reminded me of working with the sisters in Fayetteville 4 years ago; the new part especially reminded of one Sister Grant. Some great sisters and some great times. Now, for my story. I walked into FHE and was listening to the presentation about 72-hour kits, ... There was a girl there who looked familiar, but since I've met about 300 people (plus seen more on the buses, etc.) during the past couple of weeks, I didn't worry too much. Then, in the middle of the thing, during some commenting section, this girl suddenly turns to me (we were in a circle) and says, "Is that Ruth? What are you doing here?" (imagine accusatory tone, not mean, just, I don't know how to explain). Um, yes. And you are? Well, she was Sister Grant, sister missionary from Fayetteville. Who I remember very well, but she does look quite different. Random. Okay, actually not that much, but just so unexpected.

If you note these stories (not even including a couple more), you'll see that there are connections covering a wide variety of my activities and geographic locations (including people who know people who know me and therefore know things about me that they would never know from me). We basically just need someone from Michigan, my mission and growing up. I think that's why Jessica (Sister Grant) was so unexpected--I did not expect an Arkansas connection. It sure does make me feel nervous. There's no hiding from my past. Not that I need to hide from my past, but sometimes when you feel like you're starting a fresh page, it would be nice for it to be a fresh page. On the other hand, it's great to have people who already love you when you're quite alone.

Moral of this story (besides that it's a small world in the church): Life really isn't a collection of fragments (even though mine seems like it); it's one tapestry all weaving together.



One last thing: I haven't seen her yet, because she's been out of town. But one of my co-workers from Charlotte (and this isn't a church connection!) now lives in Boston and we're supposed to meet up sometime soon. I'm super excited to see her!! But, I have to laugh a little because when I left Charlotte I left a letter for her sharing some things I was afraid to say to her in person (not mean, just personal), but felt safe saying because "I would never see her again." hahaha