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Lisa Brown Langley, a well-known photographer from Martha’s Vineyard now known as L.A. Brown, reflects on a significant day in London with her father, Phil Brown, in 1992. A comment he made lingered in her mind for years.
That day, her 30th birthday was approaching.
Her father smiled and said, “It’s time for me to give you something I’ve gifted every woman in our family.” He surprised her by saying, “A Hermès scarf.”
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This was a lavish gift, regarded as a prized possession for the wearer.
However, unlike her mother, grandmother, aunt, and sisters who had received similar gifts, Lisa felt that such a luxurious scarf wouldn’t reflect her artistic, carefree spirit.
Photographer L.A. Brown reflects on the day in London with her father when he offered to buy her a luxurious gift — one she decided against. (iStock)
She lightly told her father, “Thanks, Dad! But you know I’m an artist — a Hermès scarf isn’t really my style.”
But as soon as she spoke, she regretted it, fearing she had hurt his feelings.
Four years later, her father succumbed to leukemia.
As she mourned his loss, tears revealed the guilt she had kept hidden for so long.
She could either stay in sorrow — or choose to rebuild her life.
She couldn’t shake the deep remorse that she had trivialized something so meaningful to her father — a way of showing his love.
After weeks of grief, she realized she had two paths ahead of her.
She could remain in sadness — or decide to honor her father’s aspirations for her by becoming the great photographer he always believed she could be.
Ultimately, she decided to fulfill her father’s dreams for her. (iStock)
She chose the second option.
Today, L.A. Brown has gained acclaim as a talented photographer.
Twenty years later, approaching her 50th birthday, she and her husband, Brendan, were walking past shops in London.
As they passed a Hermès store, a realization struck her. Was this the same shop she had visited with her father years ago? She couldn’t be sure.
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She had never shared with her husband the story about her father and her long-held regret about turning down his generous offer.
And how she longed to express to her father how much that gift would have meant to her.
“That wasn’t me then, but it is me now,” she said with a sense of nostalgia.
“Would you like one of those scarves for your birthday?” (iStock)
Her husband turned to her, asking, “Would you like one of those scarves for your birthday?”
Seeing this as a crucial moment, she chose her words carefully to avoid hurting him, just as she had hurt her father.
She replied, “No — I now understand how important it was to my father to buy me that scarf. If it wasn’t from Dad, it wouldn’t carry the same meaning.”
Two days later, back home in Martha’s Vineyard, Brown discovered a package from her aunt.
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A note read: “Do not open until your birthday.”
She couldn’t resist and decided to open it early.
She eagerly tore off the wrapping and sensed something silky within the box.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.
L.A. Brown draped the scarf around her shoulders and turned to her husband, her eyes shining with joy. (L.A. Brown)
Inside was a Hermès scarf.
Tears filled her eyes as she read her Aunt Nan’s note: “Dear Lisa, this scarf was given to your grandmother by your father. Now that she’s gone … I thought you’d cherish it.”
A full circle was achieved.
Brown’s dear dad, through a special moment of fate from above, had given her a treasured Hermès scarf after all.
Moments later, she playfully wrapped the scarf around her, turning to her husband with sparkling eyes.
“Guess what?” she twirled. “It’s me!“
These moments of coincidence are not random; they are comforting signs from above — meant just for us.
This story first appeared in “The Godwink Effect” by SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, published with permission. Copyright © SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Learn more about Godwinks at www.godwinks.com.
