So there we were, stuck in a grocery line that felt like an eternity, when this guy bulldozed right into my pregnant wife and our cart. I was on the verge of losing it, but she had a different, epic plan in mind. Spoiler: Karma was about to get real. Growing up, my mother often said, “What happens, happens.” I didn’t fully grasp the truth of that saying until much later. I’ve never been great at letting things go, and trusting in karma didn’t seem like the best approach when you could take matters into your own hands. I mean, how often do you actually get to see justice served, right? That all changed when I met the love of my life, Karol, who would give me a front-row seat to the universe’s idea of balance.
Let’s rewind to the beginning: I met Karol when I was still figuring out life at 26. She became the best part of my day, every day, and I like to think that she helped me chill out a bit. Maybe that’s not entirely true, but she certainly changed my perspective on life. The restlessness I felt in my early adult years transformed into a fierce protectiveness. Our relationship didn’t unfold quickly; we were friends first, and until I met her, I didn’t know that could work. We took our time, savoring every moment together. After three years, I finally got down on one knee, and we had a small wedding with family and close friends. Just when I thought life couldn’t get any better, we discovered that Karol was pregnant. My protective instincts kicked into overdrive; it felt like I had to be on high alert for anything that could go wrong. CONTINUE BELOW
My mother laughed at my overprotectiveness. Even when Karol wasn’t showing yet, I was constantly helping her and urging her to sit and rest. “What happens, happens,” she would say with a shake of her head. That didn’t mean I couldn’t prepare for the unexpected. As Karol’s belly grew, my anxiety increased, especially after she snapped at me one day. “Josh! I can stand by myself just fine! JEEZ!” I knew she could, but what if she fell? One look from her—a fierce side-eye—was all it took to calm me down a bit. She assigned me a project: decorating the nursery, which helped restore my peace.
But that peace was about to be tested. Karol and I were in a massive line at the grocery store, and I could see she was shifting around, clearly uncomfortable. She was seven months along, after all. Out of nowhere, this huge man barreled through, bumping into our cart and my pregnant wife. “Step off, I’m in a rush!” he shouted. The audacity! My blood boiled, and I could feel all those months of mindfulness slipping away. Just as I was about to unleash my anger, Karol grabbed my arm. “Don’t waste your energy on him. Just watch what happens next,” she whispered. CONTINUE BELOW
I stayed still, curiosity piqued. We watched as Mr. Rude Guy smugly paid for his items and strutted toward the exit, only to trigger an alarm. Two guards appeared out of nowhere and took him away. I heard Karol laughing beside me and turned to her, bewildered. “How did you know?” I asked, barely able to contain my chuckles. “While he was busy throwing his weight around, I slipped a little something into his pocket—a goodbye gift with a security tag,” she winked, laughter spilling out of her. My jaw dropped. She looked at me innocently, and I couldn’t help but join in her laughter. I realized then that I had married the best woman in the world.
I learned that while you can let karma do its thing, a little push can make life a lot more enjoyable. Do you have any stories of karmic justice like this? Here’s another one: Leah has always had a strained relationship with her sister, Blair. But when Blair stops by for a visit, Leah thinks it’s time to finally mend things—until she overhears an intriguing conversation between Blair and her friend. CONTINUE BELOW
