WHAT A COINCIDENCE

The phrase “what a coincidence” is often used to describe seemingly chance happenings.

Let's begin with a remarkable example: Mark Twain, the famous American writer, was born in 1835 on the day Halley’s Comet passed over Earth. Miraculously, 75 years later, he passed away in 1910, on the very day the comet made its return.

One of the most startling and mysterious coincidences occurred when Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826—exactly 50 years after they helped craft the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified on the same day in 1776. On this golden anniversary, they were the last remaining original revolutionaries.

Reportedly, John Adams’ last words were, “Jefferson still lives.” Yet, he had no way of knowing that his sometime adversary but lifelong colleague and friend had died only a few hours before Adams took his last breath.

On a more personal note, I've often asked myself if it was mere coincidence that I happened to visit an art gallery I had never seen before in New York City in 2015. A friend insisted I go, although I had other plans. However, on that night I met Rebecca Michelman, well-known in the art world. Sheepishly, I introduced myself and asked if she would review my artwork. She agreed, and in 2016, she curated my first one-woman art show in New York, which catapulted my art career.

Another amazing happenstance moment was the day I met Lynn Utter, halfway around the world, at a reception in Latvia hosted by the U.S. Ambassador. Though we had both pursued impressive careers—Lynn in corporate America and I as an entrepreneur—and were both graduates of the University of Texas, our paths had never crossed before that day. Fast forward and many years later, we now co-teach "Women Who Mean Business," a highly successful women's development program at the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin.

For all of these occurrences—and countless others—I offer this old saying: “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

So, when I hear “what a coincidence,” I often find myself wondering, “Or was it?”

Still wondering…..

Gay Gaddis

Founder. Author. Artist. Trailblazer.

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