I'm working outside the home full-time now, so have less time to write. But, stuff is still happening that makes me shake my head in wonder.
A few weeks ago, I had over 5 garbage bags full of laundry to wash (I won't get into the details of why). On a Sunday morning with little free time and what I hoped was enough cash, I headed for our local coin laundromat to knock it all out in one fell swoop. Turned out the change machine was broken and when I tried to buy a candy bar to get quarters from the convenience store next door, I was abruptly told to find a bank.
I drove to the next town over, to find the only other laundromat I knew of was gone. Not sure what to do next, I headed up a main street with little luck. I found another place, but it was closed. Called my husband who gave me a place out of the phone book, but judging by the address it was at least 20 minutes away. Even tried a check cashing store, but discouraged by the long lines and the fees, got back into the car and almost headed home. I thought to myself, "Maybe I'm not meant to do this. Maybe I'm supposed to spend the next three days at home doing all this wash."
Took a second to think quietly and ask for help, then saw an image of a roll of quarters being handed to me from a cash register. It didn't feel like a bank, but it was enough to keep me going. So, instead of turning toward home, I drove in the opposite direction and while searching, the name of the next next town over came to mind. When I got there, I stopped in a familiar shopping plaza, went into the dollar store and asked the first clerk I saw if there was a laundromat close by. She said, "Why, in fact there is one. Just around the block on the next side street." I followed her directions and found myself in front of a small coin laundry tucked back on a little street directly in front of a sign marking the entrance to the town that popped into my head.
It gets better. Not only did the change machine work, but when I needed to break a ten-dollar bill, the cashier at the convenience store next door gave me $6.00 in change as quarters without my asking for them! When I went back a second time, the same cashier pulled out a roll of quarters and gave that to me! At that same moment, a woman standing beside me who was buying lottery tickets and heard my request for quarters said, "You need quarters? I worked last night. I have tons of them." She reached into her purse and pulled out two overflowing fistfuls of quarters saying she collects them and had plenty. I stared at this woman's hands in disbelief. This is when I started to get that, "This is surreal is this really happening" feeling. I never have cash on me - who carries around this kind of cash anymore?!
I finished that boatload of laundry in record time, happy and relieved.
There was no crisis, I could have easily gone home and buried myself in wash. But, here was this gift - a clue, some change, and a couple nice people willing to help. Even with the smallest things in life, guidance from the Universe is available when we need it. You just have to ask.
