All Around

It's on a street corner in the little town of Palmer Lake, Colorado. I had never seen it before, although I'm sure we've driven that way a number of times. But on one of our trips to Denver using the quiet and scenic Highway 105 instead of the overcrowded I-25, I spotted it.

Sure, it doesn't mean much to you. But I was in the midst of writing a story, and one of the main characters names is Aurelia. I chose it because it was unusual. Beautiful. Who knew it belonged to a street in a tiny mountain town?

This kind of thing happens to me frequently. It has since I started writing. I often ask myself, "Did you use that name because you had been seeing it?" Usually the answer is no. I see it after the fact.

Another instance occurred when we went to get pizza at one of our favorite local spots. Splashed across their front windows is the name Jameson, who just happens to be Aurelia's counterpart. Granted, the place is a bar and they are advertising the whiskey by that name...but still it was neat to see. And I named him that long before I noticed the windows.

I may be reading more into it than is really there, but I always take it as a sign from God that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I find delight and pleasure in seeing my characters names on signs. I suppose it's just meant to be.

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