There Are No Strangers

Growing up, my mother never seemed to believe there were such things as "strangers." She always had (and still does) this very open heart for others. When I was 16 and we were driving home to the farm she spotted a couple resting on the side of the highway with their bicycles. Because it was blazing hot, she felt compelled to stop and check on them. But that's not all, she invited them to our home to swim, fed them dinner, and then sent Christmas cards to them for years afterward. My mother didn't know anyone who was a stranger.

So this fall, she was still at it. She walked into the SD State Book Festival at the Holiday Inn and struck up a conversation with a couple who she thought was at the Book Festival too. When she discovered they were passing through town and were planning on walking through our sculpture walk downtown, she offered to take them there, and then to the Falls (our city's namesake), and then through our historic district, and then out to dinner. She can and does talk to anyone.

Tonight I had a "mom" moment. Taking my daughter to the coffee shop I spotted a young gal carrying in a big board with drilled holes and a container of marbles. I know what those are for having grown up with one similar myself. Rather than just point it out to my daughter, I found myself engaging in a conversation with this gal and her friends.

I asked about who made the board? Her grandfather, just like mine did. What were the rules? Same as ours, and what do you call the game, "Wahoo" and that is where we differ. We called it "marbles" until we were old enough to know what the grown-ups called it; "S*@t On Your Neighbor!" It was a competitive game for our family and a big deal to try and get away with saying the adult title. Of course I shared our family title with the young adults who all laughed and decided that would be their new name. (Shame on me but oh well!) And then as we walked out, my daughter couldn't help but point out I had just had a "Grandma Jane" moment. I couldn't just walk by, I had to stop and engage these strangers in conversation.

But really, isn't that what makes life fun? Engaging with the people around us, learning about each other, sharing stories, and laughter? Our world really isn't full of strangers, just people we haven't met yet.