A SEEMINGLY ORDINARY LIFE

Stories of Grace

Ho hum, another memoir . . . another immigrant, refugee story . . . who cares?

Did I catch pretty much what you are thinking when you see A Seemingly Ordinary Life: Stories of Grace? I would agree with you except that. . . these stories offer the possibility of something marvelous. Although not famous or particularly talented, I am someone who can see blessings—a grace finder, if you will. And that is what share with you.

I want you to experience some of the times when divine radiance—seemingly so separate from whatever we’re struggling with—has glimmered bright and warm and joyous. I want to share these times because they are too wonderful to just keep to myself, and I want you to smile and gasp in wonder with me. But also, I think grace finding is an acquired skill, and I hope that by connecting with the graces in my life, your own blessings will become more evident.

And you can share them with me.

Sheila Kogan in a beautiful green field by the ocean.

A Seemingly Ordinary Life:

Stories of Grace

People and Places Referred to in A Seemingly Ordinary Life

  • Fluffy Brownish Red Small Dog Poochie

    Poochie

  • Belly dancer in black and white

    Habiba

  • Sheila in Black Dress

    The Dress

  • Bodybuilder Charles on Fridge

    Charles on the Fridge

  • Tibetan Prayer Bowl

  • Eiffel Tower in Paris seen next to glass walls of the word Peace in every language

    Paris

  • Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy

    Mont Saint-Michel

  • Black Labrador Mix Dog Jack laying on a white rug

    Jack

  • Sheila standing with two men dressed in Steam Punk outfits.

    Steam Punk in Capetown

  • Sheila in South Africa a green view of mountainous valley behind her

    Lion Mountain South Africa

  • Two African Penguins putting their beaks together on a sandy background

    African Penguins

  • M&M covered chocolate cake with lit birthday candles

    Cake

  • Sheila Singing with Havana Street Band, two men with guitars and one with drums

    Havana Street Band

  • Sheila laughing with a beautiful man hugging her side

    Sheila and Enrique

  • Sheila peeking out the window of the back seat of a classic 1950s car

    Sheila in Cuban Cab

From Chapter 21: Cake

Between handbags and mannequins, the glass storefronts mirrored a confident old lady marching through the city. With my head held high, back stiff and straight, my wedged heels clicked forcefully on the pavement. I knew I looked self-assured because even the panhandlers gave me a wide berth—but underneath I felt like an idiot. Who traipses across San Francisco carrying a shiny foil-wrapped cake platter? And who would bring a chocolate cake studded with M&Ms to a trendy restaurant?      

I had not intended to walk to this dinner. My plan had been to take the subway into San Francisco, cut across Civic Center Plaza, then get an Uber for the couple of miles to Fillmore Street. But, as usual, technology eluded me and I couldn’t get the app to work; then I couldn’t find a cab anywhere. Frustrated, I gave up, dug out the scrap of paper with the directions, and started walking into the sinking sun of the shortest day of the year. 

It took me over an hour, trudging up and down hills, across an array of snazzy and derelict neighborhoods. By the time I reached the proper street corner, with sore arms and swollen ankles, the sun had disappeared. I could see no sign or indication whatsoever that there was a restaurant here, let alone a fancy one with the unappetizing name of State Bird Provisions. I double-checked the address, then noticed what appeared to be a line forming outside a small, nondescript door. I joined the queue feeling totally out of place in my tweed skirt and sports jacket among the distressed jeans and spiked heels of the expensive casual chic. The aluminum-foil-wrapped bundle did not help.