Right place, right time? Things tend to happen for a reason

Barbara (left), RuthAnn, Naomi (top right), and Debbie pose for a photo following RuthAnn Hogue's public reading from "Goodbye, Walter: The Inspiring Story of a Terminal Cancer Patient" Nov. 5 at Barnes & Noble in Surprise Marketplace on West Bell Road at Grand Avenue in Surprise, Ariz.

Barbara, a cancer patient, met RuthAnn at Sky Harbor International Airport in September as they both waited for a flight to Seattle. RuthAnn was on her way to a book signing. Barbara was meeting her mother for an Alaskan cruise. It didn't take long for the two to find out they had something in common - by virtue of RuthAnn's relationship with Walter and Barbara's own battle with cancer. It turns out the two had also lived in the same West Phoenix neighborhood for years before each moved elsewhere. They exchanged phone numbers so they could begin a friendship.

Naomi Hesterman is RuthAnn's mother who was proud to support her daughter in person for the first time since she began touring and signing books as an author. Although she had bought two copies previously, Naomi bought two more copies to give to friends. She also picked up where RuthAnn left off after reading from Chapter 10, to make sure those in attendance knew that the book intertwines RuthAnn's spiritual journey with Walter's physical one.

Debbie, who recently suffered the loss of a loved one, happened to enter the store to let her 12-year-old son use a $25 gift certificate minutes before RuthAnn's presentation and decided to stick around to listen. Apparently, she was glad she did. She and Barbara, among others, left the store as RuthAnn's newest customers.

Another guest, a former hospice nurse and current hospice volunteer who had previously purchased "Goodbye, Walter," dropped by to have it personalized. She took advantage of the opportunity to invite RuthAnn to speak at an upcoming class for a grief support group.

Welcome, to all! We hope you'll take advantage of this site to post your comments and share journeys of your own.

(Note: RuthAnn signed a few extra copies of "Goodbye, Walter" for the store to keep on its shelves for those who missed the event. Hurry while supplies last.)