When the Universe Places Someone on Your Path
When the Universe Places Someone on Your Path
Sometimes, the most meaningful encounters happen when we least expect them.
I’ve always felt that the universe brings people into our lives when we need them most. On our recent Mediterranean cruise, I had one of those experiences.
On a bus ride to a small village near Lisbon, I met a Canadian couple from Niagara Falls: Jennifer Maxin and her husband.
Her husband sat across the aisle from me, and we started talking about family, life, and travel. Soon, we began discussing yoga. I told him I was a yoga teacher and explained how important the practice had become to me since I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer.
Suddenly, he stood up and invited Jennifer to take his seat.
What I learned next moved me deeply.
A Celebration Interrupted
Jennifer and her husband had planned the cruise to celebrate three years since she survived cervical cancer. But just two days before they boarded, Jennifer found out her cancer had come back and was now stage IV.
What was supposed to be a celebration quickly turned into a journey filled with fear, uncertainty, and many questions.
There we were, two Canadian women on a bus in Portugal, brought together by something neither of us wanted.
Jennifer had a lot of questions. How did I keep travelling? How did I live fully with stage IV cancer? How did I handle the uncertainty?
We talked the entire ride back to the ship.
I shared my experiences, not because I had all the answers, but because I understood what she was facing.
A stage IV cancer diagnosis changes your life, but it doesn’t mean you have to stop living.
Travel Is Medicine
Jennifer told me that an insurance agent said she wouldn’t be able to get travel insurance in the future.
I told her that when it comes to my cancer, I put my trust in two things: my oncologist and my faith.
People with stage IV cancer often hear discouraging things, sometimes from people who don’t really understand what we’re going through.
Every cancer journey is unique. I believe it’s important to work with a trusted oncologist, health team, speak up for ourselves, and choose how we want to live.
For me, travel is healing.
Travel brings adventure, connection, laughter, and joy. It reminds me I’m more than my diagnosis.
Travelling with cancer takes medical advice, careful planning, and the right insurance. Still, I encouraged Jennifer to look into her options instead of thinking travel was out of reach.
The Gift of Hope
During the cruise, I saw Jennifer and her husband from time to time and checked in to see how she was doing.
Later, she found my Living Life Over Cancer blog and ordered my book, RISE: Living Life Over Cancer.
Jennifer told me how amazing it was that, out of everyone on that bus, they ended up sitting next to me and that she was able to enjoy the cruise with her husband with renewed hope.
Before we left the ship, her husband thanked me for giving Jennifer hope and for sharing what I’ve learned about living with stage IV cancer.
I didn’t do anything special. I just listened, shared my story, and reminded Jennifer that joy, purpose, and hope can still be found, even with uncertainty.
When we said goodbye, I wished her well and let her know I’d be there if she ever wanted to talk.
When the Universe Connects Us
Was it just a coincidence that we met? Maybe.
But I like to think the universe sometimes brings people into our lives for a reason.
Maybe I was meant to give Jennifer hope that day.
And maybe Jennifer was meant to remind me why I keep sharing my story.
Living Life Over Cancer isn’t just about how we care for ourselves. It’s also about the connections we make, the compassion we show, and the hope we share.
We might not be able to change someone’s diagnosis, but we can help them feel less alone as they face it.
That’s one of the greatest gifts we can give another person.
Real Stories • Real Tools • Real Hope
If you have someone facing a diagnosis, please share my website where they will find free downloads, 240 blogs on living fully, and examples of inspiration.
Reflection and Action
Think back to a time when someone came into your life unexpectedly and made a real difference.
Could your own experiences, kindness, or willingness to listen give hope to someone who needs it today?
Sometimes, the smallest moments of connection leave the biggest impact.
Very inspiring!! I remember stumbling upon your post on Facebook 3 years ago. We were on the same support group for MBC. We were diagnosed around the same time and I was reading your post about traveling post mbc diagnosis. It gave me hope and the “push” to be braver to travel again. You and the ladies in that group taught me that I can continue living despite the grim diagnosis.
I resumed traveling 6 months after my diagnosis with the help of my medical team. Since then I have been traveling in between scans and been to Asia including China, Europe, Maritimes and North America. This year alone, I have been to 11 countries.
I praise God above al…
What an absolutely beautiful piece, Betty Jean! You are such an inspiration, and thank you for sharing your journey with so many people….💕. I faithfully read your blog entries each week and I also had previously purchased your book, which I recently passed on to my older sister. Your words have positively impacted so many people, near and far! Thank you for your greatness❤️