Sometimes, achieving a goal takes a lot of hard work, and other times, things just fall into place. But in both cases, luck often plays a role as the final piece. The people in this article shared stories just like that.
1.
My car broke down on a two-lane highway deep in the Appalachians, 20 miles from the nearest town and with no cell signal. The first car to come around the bend? My grandfather, who lived three hours away. He had randomly decided to take a weekend trip to the mountains. From the breakdown to getting picked up, it took less than five minutes.
2.
For my birthday, my mother-in-law gave me an old, antique sewing machine. My husband laughed at it, but I actually liked it. Then, five years later, he left me—for a younger woman. He took the car and the flat with him.
When my mother-in-law found out, she called me and invited me over. She told me there were real diamonds hidden inside the sewing machine, left by her grandmother. She apologized for her son’s actions and invited me to stay with her.
You won’t believe what happened next: we moved to France, bought a house, all thanks to the diamonds. She truly is a remarkable woman.
3.
I visited my former teacher after not seeing her for six years. We caught up, and she mentioned her daughter. I was confused—what daughter? She only had a grown-up son.
Turns out, she adopted a little girl. She told me that during a new class, there was a girl without any school supplies. The teacher told her, “Tell your mom to buy you this and that.” The other kids quickly chimed in, “She doesn’t have a mom, she’s an orphan!”
The girl was quiet, respectful, and hardworking. Her mother had disappeared long ago, and her grandmother had sent her to an orphanage. The teacher started bringing her little gifts, like notebooks, and sometimes food. Slowly, they grew close.
One day, the girl asked, “Are you my mom?” The teacher didn’t know how to answer. She told her husband, and after talking it over, they decided to adopt her. She’s been living with them for five years now, and everything is great. I’m so happy for them!
4.
Took my wife out fishing for the first time. She casts for the first time—totally misses. The lure hits the rock and drops right in the water, just a few inches from us. And of course, a massive bass snags it. I ended up catching nothing that day, despite all my experience and fancy gear.
5.
I drove across the city to the supermarket for some chocolate I couldn’t find anywhere else. When I got there, it wasn’t in stock either! The seller told me the last time they had it was a year ago.
I lost it. Why did their website say it was in stock when it wasn’t?! I left, frustrated and empty-handed, feeling like I’d just wasted gas.
When I got home, I opened the bottom drawer—and there it was. The chocolate I had been searching for. Guess it’s true what they say: the one who seeks, finds.
6.
In my third year of university, I was just a few points shy of a good grade, which I needed to keep my scholarship. The teacher seemed to sympathize with me, mentioning my past achievements, but I was still a little short.
Out of nowhere, he asked me to turn around. As he ran his fingers over my back, he said, “How many cats do you have?”
I told him I had three. He nodded and said, “I can tell by the fur on your jumper.” Then, just like that, he gave me the grade I needed! It turned out he loved animals and often supported shelters.
7.
Years ago, I was completely broke, juggling two jobs just to make ends meet. My dinners were always macaroni and hot dogs or tuna, and I couldn’t even afford gas for my car, so I walked to work.
One night, around 11 p.m., while walking home in the dark, I spotted a $50 bill in the snow. I immediately thought about buying groceries, but then I considered that maybe someone else was as broke as me and had lost it. So, I stood there in the cold for an hour, hoping the person who lost the money would come back for it. But they never did.
Finding that $50 changed everything. Not only could I buy food, but I could finally put gas in my car. It felt like a turning point in my life. It shifted my mindset, and from there, opportunities for success started to unfold.
8.
My husband and I went on holiday to a beautiful, distant place and checked into a small, cozy hotel with an ocean view. On our first night, we met a lovely older couple staying there. Toward the end of our chat, we found out they were the hotel owners, and they offered us a free upgrade to an available suite.
We were suspicious, thinking there must be a catch, but on our last night, as they came to say goodbye, they told us we reminded them of themselves when they were young. I returned home from the trip pregnant, and now I’m not sure when we’ll get the chance to visit them again.