In September 2023, Tom and I planned an unforgettable journey by train through the beauty and history of the United Kingdom.
I was incredibly excited to explore the grandeur of Scotland and had a strong feeling that being in the Highlands and visiting Rosslyn Chapel would have a profound impact on me. It felt like coming home, almost as if I were reclaiming a lost part of myself from the past.
My grandmother visited Scotland to see my Aunt Debbie when she lived in Fort William in the 1980s. My grandmother said that Scotland was the most beautiful and magical place she had ever been. As I delved into my maternal and paternal Scottish lineage, I discovered that the Elliott Clan, from my father’s side, had a tumultuous history as a fierce border clan. In contrast, my mother’s Lyon Clan was connected to a royal lineage. I was surprised to learn that Queen Elizabeth is also part of the Lyon Clan!
Tom and our group at the train station. September, 2023.
The Journey to Edinburgh
Just before we boarded, our lovely travel guide, Elizabeth, handed out our tickets and seat assignments. Tom and I were seated across from Susie and her partner, Tish. We learned that they split their time between Susie’s Hawaii home and Tish’s California home. These two ladies were avid explorers and shared stories about their travels by train in Africa.
We enjoyed our conversation, cocktails, and watching the beautiful landscapes unfold as we made our way to Edinburgh. I remember Susie asked Tom, “What are those white animals?” Puzzled, Tom replied, “Sheep?” It was hilarious! Susie genuinely did not recognize the sheep because she lived in Hawaii all of her adult life. The sheep indeed broke the ice, and Susie and Tom bonded quite a bit. They had a grounded conversation about real estate investments. I remember Tom briefly mentioning that he was experiencing an odd sense of déjà vu as if we had all been here together before.
Majestic Scottish Landscape. September, 2023.
Tish and I had some sort of cosmic connection. Surrounded by the beauty of the Scottish landscapes, we engaged in the most profound conversation about our perspectives on religion, God, and the stunning cathedrals of the United Kingdom. Toward the end of our ride, Tish and I began talking about losing our brothers. She lost her brother to cancer, and my brother died from a heart attack. I shared a link to my Precious Stones and Pearls post about my brother. That post also explored the wisdom of Hildegard Von Bingen, and because I shared some of my thoughts on Hildegard with Tish, I thought it would interest her. Our train ride was the most extraordinary time with new friends! I will never forget it.
The entire United Kingdom trip did not disappoint. From the history and busyness of London to castles in Edinburgh, the highlands of Fort William, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bath, and Stonehenge, Tom and I had the most marvelous adventure.
A Few Photos from Our Journey
What Are the Chances?
We were seated across from Susie and Tish again during our final dinner. Tish mentioned that she had read my post about Kurt, which touched her heart and made me happy. When my musings touch someone, it’s precious. Tish then shyly shared that she had written a book and had just one chapter left to write. When I asked her about the subject of her book, she revealed that it was about “Healing from breast cancer.” I was stunned. I shared with Tish that just two days after returning home from our trip, I would undergo a breast biopsy because a mass was revealed in my right breast during a diagnostic mammogram.
What are the chances of this synchronicity occurring? I was in awe and wondered if serendipity or fate brought Tish and me together at that precise moment. What are the odds that I would meet a gifted writer on a trip through the United Kingdom who would write the book I needed most at that moment in my life?
Tish sent so many encouraging messages during the tense days after my biopsy. Further treatment was needed, so I also had a lumpectomy. Gratefully, they removed the entire mass, and the pathology said it was precancerous. I would not need further treatment and only need to be monitored with breast MRIs and mammograms every six months.
Creating Miracles
Afterward, our conversations continued, and we formally started working together to finish Tish’s book and get it published. I found it incredibly serendipitous that Tish had stopped writing her book ten years before, precisely when I had stopped writing The Journey of the Visionary Writer! I shared raw, unedited portions of my book in progress with Tish, and she told me how much my writing helped her. Encouraged, I also started writing again. It was fascinating; the more elevated Tish’s writing became, the more momentum I found in completing my writing. We were supporting each other in the most extraordinary way! It was truly a miracle we had met!
I am thrilled to announce that on September 14, 2024, one year from the day Tish and I met on that train to Scotland, her beautiful book A Miracle Within You: Paddling Through Cancer was released into the world. I am so proud of Tish for her monumental accomplishment. She is a gifted writer who has bravely, with great vulnerability, shared her journey of healing from cancer.
A Miracle Within You: Paddling Through Cancer by Tish Litchfield. Published on Amazon.com September 14, 2024
The Miracle of Shared Destiny
Scotland brought gifts to my soul and renewed my purpose. My intuition was spot on! I believe the miracle I received is shared destiny.
It is Tish’s destiny to write her book, and it is my destiny to help her complete and publish it. Our journey together as writers has been symbiotic—sometimes, I was like a bumblebee pollinating her garden of words, and sometimes, she was like a butterfly pollinating mine! What a wonder-filled garden we have created!
And it all started, symbolically speaking, by uniting in the “United” Kingdom. Yes, we are all united in God’s precious kingdom, and we need only be brave and boldly share the truth about who we are. I imagine our world would be a better place if we simply embraced working alongside the people with whom we share a destiny.
I am so happy that your paths crossed. It was meant to be. Tish’s words helped me be stronger and able to handle my husbands cancer I am thankful that you came into my sisters life.
This is so worth reading and sharing
Thank you, Tina! I’m so grateful Tish’s words helped you. I am so excited to get this work out to inspire and encourage people. I love you!