I adored reading about your encounter with the older lady at the beach. How wonderful to meet someone with the "glass half full" attitude and it was lovely of you see value in her age.
So often, I've wished that I had questioned my maternal grandmother. I was from the "don't speak unless spoken to" era. By the time I knew myself well enough to comprehend all she had seen in her life, she was gone...at 100. 1901-2001. She outlived 2 daughters, 2 husbands, a daughter in law and a son. Her generation and my mothers as well just didn't speak of days gone by. How we have changed. Now, we all speak freely and it's wonderful how we can comfortably share with strangers. I'm looking forward to meeting people all over the world who realize the value of encounters along our trails of discovery.
I'm sorry you didn't get to connect with your maternal grandmother. But it sounds like you realized what you missed out on and are making those other connections today.
That's lovely, Michael! You MUST be a Lowland Scot at heart, since we talk to everyone, too! See, this is what Brent is missing out on, being shy! 😀 Meeting lovely people like Colleen is a highlight of life.
I love this! My mother could and would talk to anyone. (I had to beg her not to smile or talk to people on the subway in NYC back in the day.🤣) I am also a talker to people and have become more so as I have gotten older and now as a nomad. I have lost so much time…wait, it really isn’t losing time, is it? I have met so many interesting people, including some fellow nomads along the way. Enjoy these moments of connection, they are precious.
She's absolutely beautiful. She reminds me of my mother--she would've been 100 this year--who died shortly after she turned 96. She grew up during the War, only they were in Occupied Holland. I love old people, and talking to them. The things they have to tell you...
Such a lovely story. And Colleen! She is lucky after all. She gives herself permission to do exactly what she wants to do every day and she's still healthy enough at 92 to do it. Best of all, she knows she's lucky and she appreciates every moment.
When stopping at a viewpoint, I'm often reminded of the beauty around us, in the humans I meet. I too, talk to strangers and come away with greater memories of faces, laughter, tears and stories. The sights? They've been captured on my camera.
What a wonderful story and encounter! I consider myself an introvert, but I may be fooling myself, because I always find random positive encounters with strangers to be energizing. I call them "glimmers." Your hour with Colleen is a bit more than a glimmer, I think. It's a true connection and a reminder of what it means to be human.
'“Yeah,” I said. “I guess I should.” I didn’t want to go. I’d made this great connection with this random person, and now I was just…moving on?'
This. I enjoyed this interaction, it felt so familiar. Thanks for sharing! I hope Colleen finds herself in the most beautiful, genuine conversations every time she arrives at that bench.
Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing Colleen with all of us.
My pleasure! Thanks for reading.
I adored reading about your encounter with the older lady at the beach. How wonderful to meet someone with the "glass half full" attitude and it was lovely of you see value in her age.
So often, I've wished that I had questioned my maternal grandmother. I was from the "don't speak unless spoken to" era. By the time I knew myself well enough to comprehend all she had seen in her life, she was gone...at 100. 1901-2001. She outlived 2 daughters, 2 husbands, a daughter in law and a son. Her generation and my mothers as well just didn't speak of days gone by. How we have changed. Now, we all speak freely and it's wonderful how we can comfortably share with strangers. I'm looking forward to meeting people all over the world who realize the value of encounters along our trails of discovery.
I'm sorry you didn't get to connect with your maternal grandmother. But it sounds like you realized what you missed out on and are making those other connections today.
That's lovely, Michael! You MUST be a Lowland Scot at heart, since we talk to everyone, too! See, this is what Brent is missing out on, being shy! 😀 Meeting lovely people like Colleen is a highlight of life.
I often benefit from his loquatiousness.
Yes, the chatty people do all the work! 😂
I nae idea what your, um, well, whatever a Scot would say here! LOL.
Tuition in Scots available at a charge! 😂
I see a new Substack in your future!
😂😂😂 Only if I decide to sell out!
What a wonderful story! And Colleen looks fantastic…I would never guess she’s 92.
I was pretty bowled over myself!
I love this! My mother could and would talk to anyone. (I had to beg her not to smile or talk to people on the subway in NYC back in the day.🤣) I am also a talker to people and have become more so as I have gotten older and now as a nomad. I have lost so much time…wait, it really isn’t losing time, is it? I have met so many interesting people, including some fellow nomads along the way. Enjoy these moments of connection, they are precious.
They are indeed!
She looks great for her age. Thanks for sharing this lovely story. Always a good reminder to count ourselves “lucky” no matter what.
Thanks for reading!
She's absolutely beautiful. She reminds me of my mother--she would've been 100 this year--who died shortly after she turned 96. She grew up during the War, only they were in Occupied Holland. I love old people, and talking to them. The things they have to tell you...
She is beautiful. The first time she laughed and smiled she just lit up!
Such a lovely story. And Colleen! She is lucky after all. She gives herself permission to do exactly what she wants to do every day and she's still healthy enough at 92 to do it. Best of all, she knows she's lucky and she appreciates every moment.
She should give lessons!
She did -- to me! And I hope this helps share it.
When stopping at a viewpoint, I'm often reminded of the beauty around us, in the humans I meet. I too, talk to strangers and come away with greater memories of faces, laughter, tears and stories. The sights? They've been captured on my camera.
The people? In my soul.
"The people? In my soul." What a lovely way to put it!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a wonderful story and encounter! I consider myself an introvert, but I may be fooling myself, because I always find random positive encounters with strangers to be energizing. I call them "glimmers." Your hour with Colleen is a bit more than a glimmer, I think. It's a true connection and a reminder of what it means to be human.
A glimmer — I love that!
Thank you for writing this. What a gem Colleen and you both are!
Thank you so much!
What a fantastic story, Michael! You made my eyes leak😁
I've heard that's a thing!
'“Yeah,” I said. “I guess I should.” I didn’t want to go. I’d made this great connection with this random person, and now I was just…moving on?'
This. I enjoyed this interaction, it felt so familiar. Thanks for sharing! I hope Colleen finds herself in the most beautiful, genuine conversations every time she arrives at that bench.
Thanks and thanks for reading!
Lovely story, beautifully told
Thank you!
Oh this was a beautiful encounter and story, Michael. Here's to all us odd ducks!
Thanks!