I don’t believe in coincidences anymore. Having looked at the odds, however, I have finally come to the conclusion that when events come together to enable something wonderful to happen, the spirit world is involved.   Many things came together to create a miracle today, this last day of 2021.  Events coordinated to save a life.

            A couple of days ago, a friend of mine asked me to get some documents printed for her in my office.  I’ve been on vacation so that was the last place I wanted to go.  I was avoiding it.  I figured the printing wasn’t necessary. 

            Then, today, an employee wanted to meet me at my office for something else, so I gave in.  I started driving to my office when I got a call from my daughter who said her chest hurt and she wanted me to come back home.  She needed me, so I turned around and drove home.  I gave my daughter some vitamins to help her feel better.  Within 15 minutes she was feeling better and wanted to go to the bookstore.  I dropped her off, ran another quick errand and drove to my office.

            When I arrived, I noticed a man on the landing outside my office door.  This was highly unusual because it was New Year’s Eve, the offices were closed, and he was standing on the third floor, right at the railing.  I walked up the stairs, said “Hello,” and went inside.  He didn’t say a word to me. I felt concerned and opened the door again, asking, “Are you hungry?”  He still didn’t answer me.

            Inside, I did a few things, then my employee showed up and I talked with her about him.  She reported that he was downstairs when she came and he seemed confused.  I agreed that he had seemed confused.  We both agreed we needed to check on him. 

            When we returned to the landing, we found him leaning on the railing with one foot on the lower edge.  I got a concerned feeling.  My friend asked if he was okay and he said, “No.” 

            I went over to him, stepping down onto the steps to get the best angle to look him in the eye.  “Are you thinking of jumping?” I asked him in a quiet, soothing voice.

            “Yeah,” he admitted.

            “Could you wait a minute so I could get you some help?” I asked him.  He didn’t answer.

            I asked again, “Could you wait just a minute?  I’d like to get you some help.”  He still didn’t answer.

            “Sir, could you please wait for a minute.  I think I can get you some help.”  I tried one more time.

            “Okay,” he agreed and he stepped back away from the edge.  I handed my friend some cookies I’d brought and stepped inside to call CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets).  My friend hung out with him, gave him a hug, and offered him the treats we had with us, which seemed to encourage him to come further away from the edge.

            I called 911 to get help as fast as possible.  Within 10 minutes the police had arrived and CAHOOTS was on their way.  It was a busy night and both the CAHOOTS response vans had been occupied when I called.  Holidays are a hard time for people with mental health conditions.  The police took our statements and escorted him to the hospital.

            I cried on the way home.  These were not tears of sadness, but tears of joy.  I didn’t feel joyful of his pain, but joyful that the spirit world had gotten me and my friend there to help this man get the help he needed to keep him alive that night.  Hopefully, he will get the help he needs to stay alive. I called the hospital and spoke to an attendant in the ER.  They confirmed for me that the man was admitted and being fed!  Small blessings for a beautiful New Year!  An amazing celebration of spiritual coordination to enable someone to get the help they need.