This week my kids and I are at our family beach house on Cape Cod.  This family tradition began when I was 10 and has been an annual ritual ever since.  Bike rides, boogie boards, sun splashed salty beach days, long walks, icecream, thrift shopping, delicious time with friends and kids - the magic of summer memories and time well spent.

My first-born, Ben, and I spent long days on the ocean-side beach outfitted with a family of friends, wetsuits and boogie boards…   day into night.  Great food, company and memories.

The summer of 2019, Ben joined me and his little sisters, Lucy and Violet and couple of their friends for our magical week at the beach.  It is the last place - a beautiful summertime gathering as a family and friends...  just one week before Ben passed, on July 30, 2019.

This place holds a lot of memories, strong energy and blessings ~ 

Early yesterday morning it was time to charge my car and walk the dog so off i went to find the newest Cape Cod high speed chargers and get Zorro out for a good long walk… 

He is so not used to street movement, airflow and noise, never mind the traffic, pedestrians, sand, narrow roads, and pooping while leashed. 
Add to that, the super busy highway crosswalk. ....  OMG - poor pup.

A young couple, wary of the overly friendly/nervous pup, were waiting for the walk light.  Zorro was extra alert and a little stressed with all the newness of the situation which lead the couple and me to chatting….

They are all petting the dog and I am telling them that he is not used to all the activity - we live on a dirt road in the Berkshire Hilltowns... 

Before I go on, let me tell you that there is a serendipitous magic that I have come to - not expect, but welcome.. .  along my path.  

There are certain people in my life with whom I share this serendipitous magic frequently.  The magic seems otherworldly - building a remarkable connection joyfully binding us with mutually acknowledged unexplained energy.

Ben was one of them.

Okay, back at the crosswalk:

The cute tatted-up couple and I quickly realized, between Zorro pets and licks, that the guy of the couple, was a friend of Ben’s -  in his graduating class from high school.  His flood of memories were kind and fond…  He hadn't known of Ben's passing nearly 6 years ago.

"Ben is really just such a nice person.  Like kind and warm… We were in the same class and he was really a genuinely super nice guy."

oh man!  It was just gorgeous and so heart-wrenching to hear - but more gorgeous and welcome and beautiful.  I just miss the kid - that's the heart wrenching part.  There's a hole in my heart that's nine miles wide.

This couple and I crossed paths, immediately found connection through the person I long for most - especially during our beach week.  Hearing this stranger/non-stranger’s take on how Ben had positively impacted a less than stellar school experience made my heart sing.

Does it sound crazy to think that the whole exchange was a gift from Ben and the Universe? 

Could someone please tell me the chances of this meeting, conversation and connection happening? 
So many variables could have come into play and kept us from connecting but they didn't. We could have chatted and never known of our connection to Ben. 

Let me step back and see the experience for what it is - A clear message from Ben that he is present just beyond the veil straddling realms.  I don't think I'm crazy to think he puts magic in my path.

Hey Benno - Thanks for that sweet reminder of the strength of our connection.  I miss you more than my words can convey and will love you always.

During the month of July The Dolphin Studio hosts a FUND DRIVE for the scholarship we have in Ben's name.  The Ben Paley Scholarship supports local graduating high school seniors who are pursuing higher education focused on music. Our long range goal is to build the fund to enable us to award a full 4-year scholarship annually in perpetuity.

You can contribute to our FUND DRIVE with your purchase of The 2026 Dolphin Studio Calendar Ben Paley Scholarship Package, our 2025 Limited Edition Scholarship FUND DRIVE PRINT (included in the Scholarship Package)  or by donating directly to the fund.