Unexpected Happenstance

“Sometimes serendipity… is just intention unmasked.”

― Elizabeth Berg

It happens at times when I least expect it; much like a bolt of light that appears to strike at random…the serendipity of this movement reveals itself.

On my recent travels to Vancouver Island, my path was collided with a stranger. He was perched on a seat at the lounge of where I was hanging about – at Ocean Island Inn. His name was Travis Green; a young man full of purpose and assurance.

As we struck up a conversation, we chatted about family, our work and opinions. He discussed his intentions of finding a place in the area and his excitement over his room-mate moving in with him. Travis beamed with happiness that his parents and sister were flying in to join him for the Mother’s Day weekend. I could tell his family ties were strong and he missed their presence in his daily life.

 At some point, I decided to share about my challenges facing yet another Mother’s Day without my beloved daughter, Shayla. I spoke of her loss, the legacy that is present now, the road she changed and her passion for rocks. With every word I relayed, I could feel an awareness of connection; as if he could relate somehow to the journey of a person he never knew.

Unexpectedly, he reached deep into his pant pocket and retrieved a bag containing an assortment of pebbles and polished stones. Travis mentioned how he had carried this bag for a long time and now it made sense to have a say in what I had told him. Releasing them onto the counter in front of us, he asked me to pick a stone out. Although my eyes were drawn to a polished green rock, I locked onto the piece of jagged Amethyst- Shayla’s birthstone. I selected it as if plucking a piece of gold; it’s beautiful energy resonating in my hand. Travis grinned and claimed it back for the pebble release he assured to do, in honour of my daughter.

Ever since the inception of The Heart Pebble Movement, I never underestimate the power of the cause created for an extraordinary young girl. I knew Travis would keep his promise. I anticipated his release as if a divine gift from Shayla for her momma who misses her immensely- on a special holiday when we could not be together.

Mother and Daughter sharing in one of many cherished Mother's Day together

A few days later, before leaving the area, I opened an email. Revealed were the stunning images of Travis’s hand at the Salish Sea, offering the uneven violet quartz… back to the ocean. I was struck profoundly with the momentous of its direct relation between mother and daughter. One of the places the Salish tribes originated was the Shuswap. This is where I grew up and my daughter was conceived. As well, Shayla’s ancestry is woven into her Aboriginal roots; the Métis people. As a result, it is my belief that Travis and I crossed paths for a reason. Thru him, I was honoured as a mother, instead of simply a bereaved parent.

 Just as the waves of the sea carried the ripples made from the amethyst, the frequent cycle of The Heart Pebble Movement keeps on… inspiring others like Travis, to take part.

Shayla beaming with pride over being awarded The Aboriginal Honour Drum

In the time I spent conversing with him, never could I have imagined hidden away in his pocket was a bag of stones, waiting to be revealed. Like the infinity symbol associated with Shayla’s Métis faith and unity of two cultures, mine and Travis’s life had intersected. My heart told the stories in my recounting of a young girl, unknown to him. I feel my daughter had brought us together on the spot, in order for me to describe a movement that has no limits.

Part of his email shares the joy and peace it brought for Travis…

Hey Tonya!

I had a fantastic time with my parents and sister. Victoria is such a phenomenal place, and full of new beginnings!
The pictures were taken on Thursday, May 8 / 14 at the Salish sea in Victoria, BC. It was such a pleasure speaking to you about your daughter, very much struck a cord with me, and I'm so happy you were able to pick my amethyst in her memory. I made sure to get it nice and far out there so the ripples would spread far!

Though it was my 3^rd Mother’s Day spent alone without Shayla, receiving the pictures and kind message from a young man was remarkable! It means that the bond between her and I continues on in the compassion of others. 

By TL Alton