Friday, March 20, 2009 – 1:11pm – My bed, Burnaby, BC

A really strange, yet pleasant, thing happened a little while ago. I’ve been on this kick about finding Sandy Poche, the lady that worked in the floral department at Michael’s. She was always such a sweetheart to me and made the Christmas wreath that I hang on my door every year. Each time I take it out of the box to put it up, I think of her.

I had looked online a few times before, trying to locate at least a city or state where she may have been living. I found some listings that showed  North Carolina and I looked up her name on Anywho, with no luck. I then found the name of what I figured was her daughter and actually found a number for her in Baton Rouge. I called and it was disconnected.

Then, I just decided to call Michael’s in Baton Rouge, ask for someone in the floral department and see if any of them knew where she went. I called the store, they transferred me and I asked the lady who answered who I was speaking to. She said, "Sandy." and I paused for a second and added, "Poche?" and she said, "Yes. Who’s this?" and I said, "Oh, my God, it’s Carly!" and I told her how I had been trying to figure out how to get in touch with her. I asked what she was doing back there since the last time I went in when I came down to see Mom for Christmas in 2006 that they told me she’d moved out of town. She said that her job went away and they gave her the option to go back to part-time or transfer somewhere else. So, she elected to go back to Baton Rouge. Wild!

She said she’d gotten the Christmas card I’d sent to her after she moved since her mail was forwarded but that, for some reason, there was no return address. I don’t know how that could have happened since I’m meticulous about addressing things consistently. I told her that every Christmas when I put up my wreath, it makes me grin to think of her and it made me want to try to get back in touch.

I told her about my Mom and that I’d been down there for two months. She said she’d just been back for about a month. I got her new number and address, so I’ll be able to call or send her holiday cards again.

I just think it’s necessary to document when things like this happen. How much more of a coincidence could it be that I finally decide to call the store, and she was the one that answered the phone and had just been back there a month!

Something bigger is at work in the universe, that’s fo sho!