A Little Gift from the Universe

Let me warn you – this blog feels quite childlike. To be fair, my blogs aren't usually very mature to begin with, but this one takes it a step further. It’s even more lighthearted than usual.

Last evening, we went to the mall for a family outing. The plan was simple – shop a little, grab a bite, and catch a movie.

Our first stop was the shoe store because my son needed a new pair. As we browsed, I also had my mother in mind. She had been looking for a specific pair of shoes she found comfortable for her feet suffering from neuropathy. Hoping to help, I took pictures of a few options and sent them to her, thinking she might like one of them.

Later, while we were at the food court, she replied excitedly. One of the pairs was exactly what she had been searching for. But by then, the store had already closed. I immediately felt guilty – why hadn’t I followed up earlier?

As I sat there eating the Frankie my husband had lovingly bought for me but my mind wasn’t at peace. I kept thinking about my son’s flat feet and how to find the right shoes for him, all while regretting missing the chance to buy my mother’s shoes. I was physically present but emotionally distant, lost in my thoughts.

After dinner, we had some time before the movie, so we took our son to the play area. He got caught up in a virtual bike race while I wandered around. That’s when I noticed a strange game at the center of the play area – a machine filled with small transparent boxes filled with different objects moving in a circle.

At first, I didn’t pay much attention. My thoughts were still elsewhere. But as we passed by again, something caught my eye – a keychain inside one of the boxes. It had a bright blue evil eye and a small heart-shaped charm. The heart seemed to have something engraved on it, but I couldn’t make out the words.

Without thinking, I turned to my husband and said, “Oh my God, it’s so pretty! I want that!”

He smiled as I swiped the card to play.

To my surprise, there was no claw or lever to grab the box. I pressed the button, feeling like I had just wasted money.

And then – something unexpected happened.

I heard a rolling sound, and when I looked down, the exact box I had been eyeing was sitting there, waiting for me to collect it.

I opened it carefully, half in disbelief. The keychain looked even prettier up close. When I read the engraving on the heart, I froze for a second.

It said: “Mother and Daughter Forever ♥️.”

It felt like a small gift from the universe, just when I needed it. The words reminded me of my connection with my mother and my role as a mother to my son. For a brief moment, all my worries melted away, replaced by a quiet sense of comfort.

Seeing me win, others rushed to try their luck at the game. But despite their efforts, the machine held its secrets close.

Life has a way of speaking to us in unexpected ways. Whether by chance or something greater, that little keychain felt like more than just an object – it was a quiet reminder of the many roles we play and a sign to pause, take a deep breath when going gets tough.

Sometimes, the universe finds simple ways to remind us to just smile.

- Sharon.