One thing I’ve learned over the years is that none of us walks this path alone.

My teachers, Dorothy and Shellie, and everyone I shared a circle with on countless Tuesday evenings shaped the medium I became. But today I want to thank a few people whose kindness quietly changed the direction of my journey.

The first is the much-respected Belfast medium, Brian Lynch.

Back then, opportunities to demonstrate in Belfast were limited, and like many developing mediums, I hoped to broaden my horizons. After one of Brian’s services at Belfast Spiritualist Church, he overheard me mentioning that I had family in Scotland and suggested I contact a few people there, telling me to say he’d sent me.

That simple act of generosity led to my first visits to Edinburgh and Kilmarnock in Scotland. I’ve never forgotten it. Brian didn’t have to help, but he did.

The second is Sharon Patterson.

After hearing about my first Scottish visit, Sharon kindly introduced me to more wonderful people and churches in Catrine and Foxbar. Her encouragement opened a few more doors and helped me build friendships that have lasted to this day.

And finally, Genevieve Bailey.

When I told Genevieve I was planning to move to Scotland in 2014, she went out of her way to support me. She introduced me to people, encouraged others to give me an opportunity, and was there herself in Paisley, with other local mediums she’d rounded up, to cheer me on at my first service after having moved over. It was such a generous thing to do, and something I’ve never forgotten.

Looking back, what stays with me isn’t the places I served, but the people who believed in me before they had any reason to.

I always thank Spirit for guiding my path, but I also thank Spirit for placing such kind, generous souls on it. Without people like Brian, Sharon and Genevieve, my journey would have looked very different.