This past week we had two very different experiences with friends. Let me start with the six days with some folks we “met” somewhere on the Pacific Ocean off the Mexican coast.
The Canadians. Last March we took the long way to California for Conor’s third birthday. We flew to Florida and took a 17-day cruise through the Panama Canal to California.
We tend to like playing roulette when it comes to sharing dining space. What that means is we let the host seat us at a table with people we don’t know. We have had many interesting conversations on these travels. More often than not, these are one-and-done connections.
This couple was very engaging and interesting…and they were from Canada. Most every time we encountered Canadians, we would begin with an apology. These folks were more than gracious.
“We know the difference between American politics and Americans.”
A couple of days after our enjoyable dinner, I was sitting by myself in the early evening having an ice cream. He (I will respect their anonymity) walked up and asked, “Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure.”
We were off and running, covering everything from politics to philosophy.
On our final full day, we ran into them again at lunch and had another engaging conversation. Near the end, I asked if they had ever been to Colorado. They had not.
“Well, you have a standing invitation to come visit.”
We exchanged phone numbers, along with the assurance, “This invitation has no expiration date.” We entertained the possibility that someday we might be a stop on a trip west they had been planning.
Sometime in the middle of the summer, we got a message about the possibility of their visit.
My love of planning kicked in.
They gave us a window of time in late September. I suggested we begin with a Sunday night Broncos game against the Rams, followed by four days west of Vail. The Bronco game was one for the ages… we won in a classic. He knows his football and she was entertained by all the hoopla and people watching.
Away we went.
We had a great time from start to finish, and Colorado showed off a spectacular autumn. I suspect we will connect again.
Last night was the other bookend of our friendship-week extravaganza. We went to a lovely gathering at the home of a couple we have known during our 29-year stint in Denver, along with five other great friends.
These are folks we have walked with from our 40s to our almost 80s. Kids and grandkids. Marriages and funerals—too many funerals. Years and years of shared life.
We laughed until we cried. We told stories, had great food, and enjoyed every minute.
Last night when I got home, I had the “good kind of tired.”
Again, I was reminded that in life we finally hold on to only two things: experiences and relationships.
I have a WHOLE LOT!!!
Onward and Upward,
Mark
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