Hey friends – hope you’re well today!
Love it when the dots connect.
It seems there are often themes going on in my life beneath the surface that seem to converge almost simultaneously. This happens to me a ton, and here’s the latest scoop.
At the beginning of this past week I was sitting in front of my computer screen with Jon. Throat tight. Eyes wet. Watching a clip of a local young man, fourteen years old, named Christopher Duffley. He was singing the national anthem at the Red Sox game in Boston last Monday night. At one time Christopher took music lessons and music therapy at the Manchester Community Music School here in Manchester, NH where Hudson does. (I don’t know if he still does.) I’ve read several articles about Christopher through the years, and while I’ve never had the privilege of meeting him, he holds a very special place in my heart. You see, Christopher is completely blind. Also has autism. And while Christopher lacks in some areas, God has overwhelmingly gifted him with a deep love of music, an amazing voice, perfect pitch and a beautiful heart. Christopher’s notes rang out clear and true, and my own heart overflowed with joy for him and the very special place he’s found in the world despite all odds. If you do one thing today, will you listen? It’s beyond moving, gonna make your day.
I’m just so proud of that boy. Learn more about Christopher’s amazing story here.
And that was dot #1.
Dot #2Â happened a day later when I received a text from a friend offering for Hudson to come and visit for a few days. Yeah.
Now for those of you who don’t know Hudson, Hudson is our five year old little boy. The youngest of four boys, he also has Down syndrome. Hudson is very dear, has had a lot of physical and behavioral challenges in his short little life, of which my friend is keenly aware. Right now he’s into throwing things. That’s tough when your little one is 18 months or two years old. While he is developmentally in the terrible two’s and has been for some time, he’s five size-wise. But as he’s grown physically, unfortunately the size of the objects (chairs, lamps, etc.) he pitches has also grown. So these are especially challenging days in our home, 24-7. No off button. And an offer to have Hudson for a visit right now is a beautiful and meaningful gift, also a true sacrifice for the giver.
Throat tight. Eyes wet. Overwhelmed, I hardly knew how to respond. And I didn’t for some time. Speechless. (Rare.)
What could I possibly accomplish/do in a whole 48 hours minus Hudson duty? Truly mind boggling.
Dot #3
I received a text from another kind friend the next day:
“We have Red Sox tickets we can’t use. Would love for you to have them if you can go.”
Take me out to the ball game
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks
I don’t care if I never get back
Let me root, root, root
For the home team
If they don’t win it’s a shame
Aahh.
For it’s one,
Two, Three strikes you’re out
At the old ball game!
Extra Red Sox tickets. Gulp. Are you even kidding?
And an offer to watch Hudson already in place? You know it’s no coincidence. The dots were connecting.
I love a good baseball game. Green Monster. National anthem. Fenway franks. Cheering.
Big Papi. 7th inning stretch. As for me, IÂ Don’t Care if I Never Get Back !
We had a GREAT time in Boston Thursday night, thanks to some very kind friends.
Enjoyed a lovely Sox Lemonade….
And know what?
Truth is, I DOÂ care if I never get back.
(Though it was still nice to get away.)
It’s good to be back, connect the dots of these seemingly random events. To me, they spell providence. I love it when the dots connect. They always do. But like the sun shining behind the clouds, I can’t always see it.
P.S. I have to share one more crazy dot #4. Because it just happened seconds ago AFTER I pressed publish at 11:32 p.m.
This random Red Sox ad showed up on my site side bar. Never had a Fenway ad show up on my site before. And I might never again. Crazy, that’s what it is. These connecting dots.
Like baseball? Gotta dot story? I’m all ears. Have a great weekend!
You may also enjoy:Â Twinkle, Twinkle
Nancy Hammett says
Love this post. Reading this post and listening to this song brought tears to my eye. Love and blessing to you all.
Allie says
Thank you so much, Nancy. This song made me cry too. It’s hard to put into words.
Barbara Child says
What a wonderful set of “Providences”. Loved hearing Christopher sing!
Allie says
Thank you Barbara, made for a great week!
Denise says
I loved this post and how the dots connected. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Christopher many times and he is just amazing. There is nothing like a night at Fenway!
Allie says
Dear D, I wondered if you’d met Christopher having worked at the music school for so many years….xo
Carina says
Dear Allie, how wonderful (and kind of amazing) that the dots connected so perfectly for you guys! Thanks for sharing this story, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am so glad that you got a bit of time to relax. Xo – Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Allie says
Thank you so much Carina. It was crazy amazing wasn’t it? Things like this happen and just really make me think… It was a quiet weekend here, my bigger boys were gone at a soccer retreat for the weekend. Jon and I had a nice quiet walk around the nearby pond on Saturday morning…I hope you and your family had a nice weekend too. xo
nancy mcmahan says
What a gift Christopher has. So glad you could get to a ballgame. Pretty awesome friends.
Allie says
I know Nancy, and one of them is related to you. No surprise there I’m guessing.
Simone says
Yep! Christopher made my day and so did your post! So glad that you had a special time off! God is Good!
Allie says
Thank you Simone, I was hoping you would hear Christopher sing. What a beautiful gift he is.
Ruth Anne says
What a sweet share. Sure brought tears to my eyes seeing that young man sing our National Anthem…what a blessing. Loved the picture of you and Jon enjoying the game. Blessings to you and yours!!!!!! xoxo….RA
Allie says
Thank you Ruth Anne, I was crying too. Just beautiful to see and hear. It was such a joy to be in Boston with Jon that Thursday night. We end up doing a lot of things separately because we switch off watching Hudson, so it was a fantastic treat!
Judy says
Allie, the kindness of your friends as well as of Christopher Duffley’s aunt, who recounts his story in the link you provided, calls to mind Colossians 3:12: “”Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”. Truly you were seeing the Son behind the clouds! What a beautiful sight! (So was the picture of you and Jon, enjoying a wonderful time in Boston! ) XOXO
Allie says
I too was bowled over by all the kindness and Christopher’s beautiful song. And extra thankful to have a fun night out together in Boston! A true gift. XO
Linda Jenkins says
This is just one more verification for me that God is charge. What wonderful surprises and blessings He bestows upon us. Glad you were the recipient, for you connect the “dots” in so many others’ lives. I, too, have never seen that Red Sox information pot up like that. Perhaps it is a sign that you will be visiting Boston more frequently. Love the story, Allie.
Allie says
Yup, He’s in charge, that’s for sure Linda! And if it’s a sign that I’ll be visiting Boston more frequently, I’m all for it. Wahoo!!! I wondered if perhaps you had also met Christopher, as you were teaching at The Mount for so many years…
Aunt Pinkie says
Of course, it’s hard to type through tears! What a great story! Was thrilled to hearChristopher sing our National Anthem so beautifully
And to read his background-amazing! And that you got to the ballgame-did he sing the night you were there?
And that you had a welcome break from Hudson throwing things! What loving friends you have! Thanks for sharing!
Allie says
Dear Aunt Pinkie, Christopher didn’t sing the night we were there. He sang at Monday’s game and we went on Thursday. His story is so amazing and his song so moving. So glad you got to read his inspiring story. Yup, so thankful for such kind friends, truly blessed. They really lighten the load, it felt like a mini vacation to be at the game. XO
Bonnie says
I am all chocked up. That was beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing from your heart.
Bonnie says
Meant to say choked up. Don’t have glasses on. Yikes!
Allie says
Thanks dear Bonnie, and I can’t see a thing without my glasses anymore either. Yikes! XOXO
Tracy says
I just love this story! Thank you for showing us that clip of Christopher. I also saw him sing at Fenway on the news earlier in the week too. Amazing how all of the dots came together! I am so very glad these gifts came to you and you were able to receive them. Like Linda said Allie, you have connected the dots so many times in others lives (I know this first hand) it was time for them to connect for you. Your appreciation and joy shows in that wonderful picture of you and Jon! Love it!!!
Allie says
Dear Tracy, I love how you were part of the dots connecting. AND furthermore. I was so glad that even though you and Dave missed the game in Boston, that Dave won HIS!!!! Score!!! (literally)
Susie Mandel says
Wow…chills. Christopher can SING! That was beautiful. And I’m SO glad you and Jon were able to get away, just the two of you, knowing that Hudson was well cared for! Loving your “dots” story. 🙂
Allie says
I know Susie, the boy can sing. And he loves to. So glad you got to hear him. Thanks for being happy for us. It was really a very special evening…xo
Aida@TheCraftingFoodie says
Allie, what a beautiful post! Christopher is one talented young man. It’s amazing the gifts that people are blessed with 🙂
We live in Boston, and I love a good Red Sox game. But I have to say that your experience is beyond phenomenal. I’m so happy that you were able to have a relaxing evening!
Allie says
Dear Aida, thank you SO MUCH, I really enjoyed writing this post. I was so glad to have a relaxing evening out too. The only thing that wasn’t relaxing was we took the T in from Sullivan Square and were running just a bit late because of very heavy traffic coming south on the way down. So the T was overcrowded because it was so close to the game, practically busting at the seams. It was like sardines. It can get hot down there waiting to switch lines too. But other than that, it was ideal in every way. xo
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Love love love this beautifully written incredible post, Allie. I too love dots connected! 🙂 Christopher sounds like a super talented boy. Your experience is A-MAZING. So happy that you got chance to go out and enjoy evening! You deserve this! 🙂
Allie says
Dear Anu, thank you so much. Christopher is an inspiration. Thanks for having so much joy for us! It’s special times like this that keep me going on harder days….xo
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
This post brought me to tears. I loved the video…and that’s where the tears started! What a fantastic voice Christopher has! It makes me smile to read that you had some time off. As a parent with a special needs child, I can relate. It wasn’t until about a year or so ago that I finally let go of the guilt of leaving mine to get a good break when I could (I’m talking of more than a few hours). And even when I did, I would worry or feel bad. I have come to realize we all need that time as parents to relax and get refreshed…it’s really good for us and our children! I will say though…I was raised up a Yankees fan…sorry, I’m part of the rival team! 🙂
Allie says
Awww…I cried like a baby watching Christopher sing. It’s hard to get the break we need but it makes a world of difference to get away doesn’t it? Glad you are getting a break here and there, Karla. Also sorry to hear about your Yankees persuasion. What a shame. Giggle. XO
Maggie says
Watching the Red Sox play from Fenway would be a dream come true for me. Hopefully someday…