I Believe in Miracles

The spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel. The staircase has two 360 degree turns and has no visible means of support.

Have you ever felt drawn to a place?
In the early 1980’s my husband Nick travelled to many areas for business. Most of the time he had no time for sight seeing, but he did develop a list of places we should travel. On one particular trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Nick came home with the intriguing story of a Church that was supposed to be a place where a miracle had occurred, San Loretto Chapel. According to historical accounts, this Catholic Church, is a smaller replica of one built in France. The architect who designed the church met an untimely death before the staircase to the choir loft was completed. The Sisters of Loretto tried to find an architect or builder to complete the staircase, but those that viewed the Chapel said it was impossible to build stairs to the loft. So the sisters prayed and on the 9th day a stranger stopped by who said he could build the staircase. Once the task was completed, the stranger disappeared and the double helix staircase that the carpenter built to the loft was a wonder of construction that to this day is considered a miracle. When the Sisters went to look for the carpenter to pay him he was nowhere to be found. In addition, there were no record of wood sales and the wood was not indigenous to the area. The Sisters believed St Joseph was the carpenter as Architects were not able to explain how the staircase with no nails and screws was self-supporting. The railing was added more recently for safety reasons. For some reason this was a place that we were drawn to visit. Maybe here was a place that a miracle might occur.

Many years passed and in 1997, after the death of a close family member, I experienced my own miracle. In the middle of grief and depression, one day I sat down at the piano and a song came through me. It was both words and melody simultaneously. When Nick came home I could replay and sing the song totally from memory. Nick encouraged me to produce the song “Forever Sue” as he felt it may be helpful for people who were experiencing similar grief to what we were experiencing. I miraculously had doors open to find people who assisted me with the arrangements and to record these songs. I continually questioned this gift but continued to write songs when I was touched with deep emotions or life experiences.
In 2000 we were able to take a road trip with our family and friends in motorhomes into the U.S.. In the back of our mind was whether we could make it to Santa Fe in the 2 weeks allotted for the vacation. We experienced the beauty of the Red Bryce Canyon, Salt Lake City, the majestic Grand Canyon, Powell Lake, the Petrified Forest and finally ended in Santa Fe, the home of San Loretto Chapel. The chapel is mainly a historical site now with a gift shop.
San Loretto Chapel did not disappoint. Once in the Chapel, I was overcome with the beauty of the stained glassed window, the staircase and the feeling of God’s presence. When our family and friends exited, I took a moment for prayer. I was really struggling with my purpose in life and asked God for confirmation about the songwriting as part of it. For some reason, this was a place where I felt God might answer my prayer.
After some time alone in the chapel I exited to the gift shop and was drawn to a little box with Name meanings on wallet cards. My previous knowledge of my name’s origin was from the Rose of Sharon in the bible. Of course I looked at other family names meanings first alphabetically; Bradley- “From the Meadow,” Curtis-“The Courteous”, Heather- “Flowering”, Nick- “Victorious Army”, and then the miracle…Sharon-“Harmonious; Musical”. I have looked everywhere and never seen this meaning for Sharon anywhere before or since that day.  Is this a coincidence, or as my friend says “Godincidence”?

To me it was a sign from God and that I am to use music as a gift to share with people. It is a reminder that God does hear us when we pray and answers our prayers. Nothing is too small to ask.

I believe God performs Miracles. Do you? Have you had miracles in your life? Please share any comments or thoughts you have…or maybe a bit about your miracle.

I hope you enjoy listening to the song “Miracle”, the story of San Loretto Chapel.