I’m stunned by what happened on Saturday, Easter Eve, April 19, 2025.

First, an innocuous text arrived from Chris Lauderdale, sister to Marsha Stanton—my former Innerarity Point neighbor and the subject of the blog posted on my website titled “Do I know you? Are we related?”

In the process of writing my family’s history, Chris, Marsha, and I made the uncanny discovery that we relate through our nine-times great “G9” grandparents Simon and Isabel Pearce Sackett who arrived in Massachusetts from southern England in the year 1630. In the context of The Westcott Story, Chris texted me asking if we fall in line as 11th or 12th generation relatives behind Simon and Isabel, our “GEN 1” lineal ascendants. I confirmed our position as “GEN 12” of 14 generations that bring us to the present.

Upon hearing from Chris, I considered the prospect that the only people who have acquired my book (whether Volume I only or Volume I and II) are people I know. Upon publishing the book on Jan 7, 2025, via email I promoted The Westcott Story to my personal contacts and have kept a log of those whom I know got the book—now numbering 90 people (or couples) with the addition of Chris who said she just started reading it. I wondered, will the 400-year chronicle interest anyone other than my family and extended personal contacts? How will others learn about the book? What will compel them to appreciate the historical significance of the Westcotts’ story as more broadly relaying “America’s story?”

Within an hour of receiving Chris’s text, I ventured out for a solo walk. I got as far as one block from our home here in Pensacola's Seville Square Historic District. Something was going on at Seville Square as is customary on weekends. I asked a man seated near the perimeter of the stately tree-canopied park, “What’s happening here today?” He was so engaging—we must have talked for 45 minutes. Charles R. Thornton, Sr. is president-elect of the Pensacola Civitan Club whose mission is to lend volunteer support to people with developmental disabilities. The Club sponsored the Seville Square event then in progress; the 20th annual “Community Picnic” included clients of Pyramid, Inc./Pensacola, a nonprofit day program for adults challenged with developmental disabilities. In the background as the Pyramid clients performed in chorus at the park’s gazebo, Charles and I engaged in a lengthy conversation about many things, including his numerous active roles as a Pensacola community leader. Upon sharing details about my recently published book, Charles invited me to participate as an upcoming guest of The Thornton Review, a program he founded that brings public information awareness to our community through interviews with elected officials, business professionals, and community leaders. He waxed exuberant describing the passion of the show's producer Pueschel Schneier whom I've not yet meet.

Charles offered to take me around to meet a few Civitan Club members—all volunteers supporting the cause. First, he introduced me to Bill Chavis, a realtor with Re/Max. “This is Christine (Christy) Emmanuel. She just wrote a book—The Westcott Story.” Charles said “Westcott” with something of a question as I’d only moments before told him about my book. Bill Chavis repeated the title with a hint of familiarity. He said, “I've heard of The Westcott Story.” Incredulous, I asked, “How could you possibly know about The Westcott Story?" He paused then said a friend told him about the book. He went on to say, “Yeah, it was Steven Shelley. He built your house a block from here, right?” “R I G H T!” Quintessential small world Pensacola.

Charles then took me to a table manned by the current president of the Pensacola Civitan Club whom Charles will follow as president when her term expires. Lisa York, an alumna of Florida State University and Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans, told me that early in her career before pursuing a law degree, she worked as a paralegal for my brother-in-law Robert Emmanuel at Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon. Charles mentioned to her that I recently wrote a book—The Westcott Story. Upon hearing the title, Lisa said “I know about The Westcott Story. I met you at your table at Emerald Coast Writers' “Books by the Bay” last month. Remember? We talked about it.” My thought-bubble response—"OMG, you mean you’ve heard of The Westcott Story too?!?”

Before Charles pulled away, he and Lisa introduced me to Pensacola Civitan Club secretary Cindy Barrington, proposing that I get on the schedule to speak to Civitan members about The Westcott Story—we went so far as to set a date (July 2). Lisa then suggested she could probably line me up for other speaking engagements as well.

Continuing my walk, I proceeded down the block on Zaragoza Street that is lined with several historic buildings owned and operated by the University of West Florida (“UWF”) Historic Trust—an education-focused nonprofit in which I hold membership. Observing a handful of young adults who dress in period costume each weekend to educate the public about the customs of historic Pensacola living, I approached them to learn something about their role. They identified themselves as UWF students [pictured], two history majors among them. In typical fashion, I mentioned the book I published in January. In unison, the two history majors blurted out, “We know about The Westcott Story!” They said they had missed out on my presentation to the UWF History Club earlier in the month due to class scheduling conflicts. Astonished, I pondered the reality that now three brief encounters led to strangers acknowledging familiarity with the book title! What are the odds of that happening?

Wanting to get in more steps, I then walked along Palafox, the main street in downtown Pensacola. I entered Bodacious Shops and proceeded to make a small purchase. Upon completing the transaction, I turned to see two women in line behind me, one of whom I recognized as a fellow member of the Pensacola Women’s Alliance (“PWA”). Saying “hello,” PWA member Laura Swann introduced me to her friend Kathryn Lavin, adding “She [meaning ME] just talked about her book The Westcott Story at PWA last month.” Seriously? This was the fourth instance of someone recognizing the book title in the span of a couple of hours while I did nothing more than take a leisurely walk in my historic neighborhood!!! As we chatted over a glass of wine at Bodacious, Kathryn suggested I proceed directly to buy lottery tickets, as April 19 was surely a providential day.

I am highly encouraged by the serendipitous ripple stemming from but two presentations and participation in one book festival to date—with several more engagements now in the works. Saturday, Easter Eve, April 19, 2025, left an indelible mark on my journey as now a published author. I have reason for hope, believing that The Westcott Story may well catch a wave reaching an audience far wider than my personal circle. I remain hopeful because of the historical significance of my family’s story. It is America’s story after all—a story to which ALL of us can and should relate.

That includes Chris Lauderdale, Marsha Stanton, Charles R. Thornton, Sr., Pueschel Schneier, Bill Chavis, Steven Shelley, Lisa York, Robert Emmanuel, Cindy Barrington, UWF Historic Village student volunteers, Laura Swann, Kathryn Lavin, as well as members of Seville Square Historic District; The Thornton Review; Pensacola Civitan Club; Pyramid, Inc./Pensacola; Re/Max; Florida State University; Loyola University College of Law; Emmanuel, Sheppard & Condon; Emerald Coast Writers; University of West Florida (“UWF”) Historic Trust; UWF History Club; Bodacious Shops; and Pensacola Women’s Alliance.

All of us—we are connected through shared American ancestry with every reason to celebrate our rich inheritance. The Westcott Story offers something for every one of us to embrace. "A Serendipitous Ripple" is merely the latest chapter in my quest to catch the next wave.