THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION PAGE 45 theconnectionsnj.com FEB/MARCH 2023 Much has been written about the godliness of coincidences. Perhaps some of you have read or remember James Redfield’s, The Celestine Prophecy, published in 1994. Over the next ten years, five million copies were sold in 34 languages. The hero is prompted on a fictional journey which reveals nine key insights. His saga begins with an insight about synchronicity, believing that coinci- dences with no overt causal relationship have meaning for those involved. I have tried to write this column as a factual reporter of stories with seemingly improbable connections. My intention is to leave the interpretation to the readers. I have never fabricated any of the underlying facts here (for sure my memory lets me down from time to time on details). I also enjoyed writing a fictional connection story, Elusive Links. The following is an invented story that was paraded as true. My discovery of that seems to be a random connection. Let’s see if you agree. Part one is unusual but might be chalked up as “incredible timing.” In the spring of 2022, my wife and I planned a trip to Europe. Last September we flew to Amsterdam arriving on Wednesday, September 7th. As planned, we flew from Amsterdam to Edinburgh on Monday, September 12th. We checked into our hotel, had our “fish and chips” lunch, and then stood behind some security barriers on High Street. We chatted with a lovely Scottish couple for two hours, after which Queen Elizabeth’s funeral procession passed by fifteen feet in front of us. A few days later, I checked my LinkedIn account. A person in my network (i.e., a level 1 connection) with a substantial following of several thousand people posted a birds-eye view photo of the funeral procession in Edinburgh. Photoshopped on the image was a ray of light descending from the sky in a straight line to the Queen’s hearse. The caption read something to the effect, “The crowd started yelling as the miracle occurred before their eyes.” I rarely respond to crazy posts, but I couldn’t help myself in this case. I wrote, “I was standing not more than ten feet from the lead horse in the image you posted. I didn’t see the ray of light. Perhaps I missed it, but I can assure you the crowd was perfectly quiet.” Let’s end with a more whimsical connection. Two years ago, while writing Elusive Links, I needed an upscale address in Atlanta for my main character. A friend suggested a high-rise on Peachtree Street, where Elton John has a residence. About the same time, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, an Atlantan who appeared in Driving Miss Daisy, was also helping me. I recall we had difficulty in arranging a call as he was dealing with a house move. When we exchanged emails last November, I noticed his address was the same one I used in Elusive Links. As it turns out his condo is next door to the unit Elton John owns for his guest visitors. I have tried to write this column as a factual reporter of stories with seemingly improbable connections. My intention is to leave the interpretation to the readers. I have never fabricated any of the underlying facts here. Fiction Masquerading as Fact By Dan Rosenberg “Random“ Connections In 2011, a rare book sells for $2 million. Its original owner, Ben Solomon, expelled from Spain in 1492, settles in Scotland where he helps develop the sport of golf. In 2002, Sandra Cole and Rusty Stephens, a world-renowned golfer, begin a romantic and spiritual journey that propels them, and their entourage, to connect through two life-changing events. ELUSIVE LINKS A novel by Dan A Rosenberg For more details and to order visit: www.danarosenberg.com “Although the main characters are fictional (many are real and will be recognized by the reader) the story revolves around true historical events, merging enjoyable golf stories, love stories and history that makes a most enjoyable reading experience. A first-time author has outdone himself here!”…Deb Agran, 11/27/22 “The amount of research that had to go into this was incredible. Rosenberg weaved a story that was compelling and interesting. I’d strongly recommend this book to anyone.” …Lou Benjamin, 11/23/22 Enjoy my debut novel – fictional random connections
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