Sometimes I marvel at how life events unfold, seemingly guided by unseen spiritual forces whose only purpose, I now understand, is Love. 

Shortly after discharge from active duty in the Navy, I went to live with my grandfather in the early 70’s. It was the most consequential two years of my life! Not only did I grow closer to him but I met the woman who would become my wife.

The second summer was remarkably carefree, living on unemployment and food stamps as the modular home company I worked at went bankrupt. Along with a friend, we had purchased a used trailer from that company, making installment payments that conveniently stopped with the bankruptcy soon after they began! Such luck increased the carefreeness exponentially! 

I arranged to have the trailer installed on my grandfather’s farm, about 15 miles north of Scranton in the Endless Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. 

I happened to be very much a part of the local counterculture, and as the summer was winding down, talk was spreading wide and far about a huge party, “to end all parties”, at a farmhouse in the neighboring county. Remember there were no cellphones and social media at that time. 

Of course we made plans to attend. 

On the other side of the valley, another rebellious soul in touch with the counter culture, and a high school friend of the girl I would marry, was also making plans. Her name was Jackie. 

Chris and Jackie were fun friends as opposed to being close. Jackie had her finger on the pulse of the times, knowing what exciting events and festivals were taking place and would sometimes invite Chris to come along with her. This kind of adventure was certainly not something that Chris would normally do; however I am eternally grateful she did. 

For us, it was indeed the party to end all parties for we connected somehow in the midst of the music and crush of party goers. It was a connection that would last, a little tentative in the beginning but we both soon realized this connection was inevitable. 

That was in 1972.  We were married on August 7, 1976. 

Love is the one constant of the Universe, the most powerful force, attracting and able to bring together apparently unrelated elements and events, like “the party to end all parties”, Jackie, a modular home company’s bankruptcy and two totally opposite individuals, to achieve its goal.

I have concluded and firmly believe that Divine Intervention, or whatever you want to call it, is responsible for our marriage. Every time I remember this I’m flooded with gratitude.

And you know, to this day Chris and I could never locate that farmhouse!