Our “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.”
It’s a lot better than some others (Google’s “Don’t be evil,” perhaps?)
As anyone reading this blog — or traveling the world — knows, Westport connections pop up everywhere.
But Ann Humphrey’s story is one of the most amazing. She writes:
A woman from Exeter, New Hampshire traveled to rural Kelseyville, California (population 3,300) for a Buddhist retreat.
While there she suffered a medical problem, requiring a visit to the Sutter Hospital emergency room in nearby Lakeport (population 5,100).
She was cared for by a physician who works primarily in San Fransisco and Santa Rosa, but occasionally covers shifts at the more remote location.
Sutter is a 25-bed community hospital in Lakeport, California.
The woman was worried. So beyond the exams and testing, the doctor engaged her in a friendly chat.
They discovered they are from the same town, nearly 3,000 miles away, and graduated from the same high school. Beyond the doctor’s care and warmth, the woman was calmed by the joy of that remarkable coincidence.
Fortunately, the tests and exams found nothing troubling. The woman felt better.
She called the Buddhist center. A man who lives there offered to pick her up.
On the call, she shared the story of the connection — without mentioning where. They marveled at such a small-world happenstance.
The man arrived at the hospital, where the woman waited near the entrance.
Her doctor was there too. His shift was over, and he was leaving.
From left: Sheila Groonell, Pete Humphrey, Dr. Stephen Cady.
The woman introduced the two men. “And to think we both went to Staples!” she said.
The man from the Buddhist center was astonished, stunned and delighted.
He too grew up in Westport. And he too is a Staples alum.
Had the woman not mentioned her school, that remarkable second coincidence would never have been made.
The woman is Sheila Groonell: Class of 1965.
Dr. Stephen Cady was a member of Staples’ Class of 1980. The man from the Buddhist center is Pete Humphrey, Staples ’79.
Great karma!
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WILD! The Chances, like winning a billion dollar lottery!
wow!!! that is absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing this incredible story.
Our community has very large arms.
Love it!!
Not only was that an amazing story, that they all grew up in westport, it shows that wonderful people, helping each other are still all around the world and many are from Westport or still in Westport! Great uplifting story.
Astonishing! I hope they stay in touch, if only with yearly holiday greetings.
Ok, that’s incredible…!
What a hoot to read about Sheila Groonell. She and I were voted “Most Spirited” of the Class of 1965. Happy to learn she is so well.
I love stories like this…they are meant to happen!
I love stories like this! Great to see Peter Humphrey!
love that story !
I always wondered what happened to Sheila! She was a neighbor of ours who grew up on Valley Road just up the hill from our house on Guyer Road. One of the neighborhood kids always at our house, skating on our pond, etc. Glad she’s doing well after all these years
Cathy (Smith) Barnett
Staples HS 1966
Hi Everyone, This is Sheila from the story of coincidence and positive emotion. It still makes me feel warm and emotional when I think of this happening. Enjoy all these wonderful intersections of life. Love to you all. Sheila