Connect With People

I lived in New Jersey for the first 24 years of my life. In February ’07, I moved to Michigan for a woman I fell in love with. Consequently, a ten hour drive separates me from everything and everyone familiar to me.

Or at least that’s how I used to feel.

In this article, I’ll be describing an amazing coincidence that reminded me just how small the world can be.

As I walked through the lobby of my local library, I noticed a new book display themed “A Penny Saved…”

I glanced through the titles of the personal finance books being featured there, taking notice to the one that was prominently displayed on top of it.

Jonathan and David Murray. “Two for the Money.”

With no clear understanding what was causing me to do so, I stopped and picked up the book. I read the authors’ names and book title over and over again. My brain was trying to piece together the significance — why did this seem so familiar?

I was staring hard into cover of the book. The twin authors’ smiling faces seemingly stared back at me — why did it feel like I know these guys?

Flipping the book over, I read a blurb that said “Learn more about the Murrays at www.themurraytwins.com.”

“The Murray Twins,” I thought silently.

Within moments, the connection dawned on me.

My father has always been an avid storyteller. He frequently enjoys telling the story of how he met my mother.

Though the details of their first date have become exaggerated by both my mother and father over the years, the people responsible for introducing them have always been consistent: Boyd and Brenda Murray, a couple living across the street from my father for whom my mother often babysat.

I must’ve casually heard my parents refer to the couple as “The Murrays,” or maybe heard their twin boys described as “The Murray Twins.”

Whichever the case, the memory was drawn out of my subconscious at the sight of the now middle-aged twins on the cover of their book.

Now aware of the connection, I felt compelled to share the story.

I beelined to the library’s Technology Center, visited the website indicated on the back of the book, and clicked “Contact Us.” I composed an email message explaining that, thanks to their book, I was able to discover a link to my past even though I was over 600 miles away from home.

Within a matter of hours, my email created a chain reaction: One of the twins forwarded my story to their father, who in turn told their mother. After hearing this, I called my mother. She then shared the story with my father, which connected all the dots.

The true feeling I experienced upon making the connection is difficult to put into words. It was surprising, exciting, and even a little eerie. After all, if my mother hadn’t babysat the Murray twins, my parents would have never met — and I wouldn’t exist.

Incidentally, I checked out their book.

Having paged through it, I now realize how I could’ve easily confirmed the connection by simply reading the “Acknowledgments” section. The twins mention their parents in the very first paragraph.

Choosing to connect with people was a lot more fun though.

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One Response to “Connect With People”

#1 jenny schmitz on 16, Apr, 2009 at 10:01 pm

I’m well aware of the current hatred towards any “money related” persons in America. The only reason I remain optomistic is because I have no money to lose! But, even the disgruntled American could benifit by talking to David or Jonathan Murray. I cannot vouch for their availability, but if you manage to talk to either of them, you will be pleased. Believe it or not, there are a few persons left that will honestly help you with your money. If you have the opportunity to snag one of them, you will be beyond satisfied.

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