The magic of playing cards

I have found them in Australia, Italy, Turkey and England. They are in the gutter, the street, at train stations and inside an amphitheatre.

Yep, I find playing cards everywhere.

You might say, so what? Another response is, “that’s ridiculous. I’ve never found cards.” That’s what I thought when my uncle once told me “you can always find playing cards in the street.”

Uncle Louie was an incredible man. He loved his children, adored his wife and cherished his extended family and friends. He made everyone smile even in the hardest of times. Everyone has a fond memory of him. For me, I can hear him greeting me with a loud “hello baby!” It was always a precursor to a big bear hug. I loved his paper dog trick. He would roll a piece of paper into the shape of a dog and delicately place a few drops of water on it. It would miraculously start to move. Uncle Louie loved playing cards. Bella Donna was a popular game. He would often ask, “do you want to play 52 pick-up?” I would eagerly reply, yes. He would grab the deck of cards, throw them on the floor, laugh and say, “Pick them up.” I would groan, “oh, Uncle Louie!” I fell for it every time.

I can’t explain this, but I have found playing cards on the street ever since he passed away. Not one, two or three, but 15 cards. I don’t know why or what it means. What I do know is that Uncle Louie was right — you can find playing cards on the street.

On a deeper level, in a very weird way, it has provided comfort. I find a card when there is a problem, I am trying to make a decision or I have reached a fork in the road. My eyes lock onto the card. I pick it up, smile, I recite the story to whoever is with me and I share it with my cousins on Facebook. I have spent 18-months away from my home in Australia. I have seen incredible places, spoken to extraordinary people; I have had personal and professional success. I have also been confronted with challenges and obstacles that have tested my strength, resilience and patience. I have found five playing cards on this trip. This time, though, they served a different purpose. They reminded me that even when I am physically alone, I am never really alone. Someone, somewhere, in this world or another, is always in my corner. I am fortunate enough to have an incredible network of family and friends who have made me a stronger and better person. They have made me realise that anything is possible. These cards restored a child-like faith in the unexplainable moments in life and to believe that you can find something or someone special when you least expect it. The important people in my life will be there to help me cope with the cards I am dealt.

Uncle Louie was a loved man, and he loved everyone in return. I’m sure he is playing Bella Donna in the sky. Forever in our hearts.