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 Action/Adventure: December 31, 1969 Issue [#4585] |
  Action/Adventure This week: Edited by: ẆebẆitch Remembers   More Newsletters By This Editor   1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions  Taking time to really enjoy your surroundings and those that make it so special is very important, especially in our busy worlds with a multitude of distractions placed before us. We do find those little gems -- gifts, really, when we least expect them. Let's take a look ...    Hello, folks, it is I Web~Witch, as your guest editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. As always, it is my honor and privilege to be here with all of you.  Wow, it’s been a while since we’ve had a chance to visit!I am certain that you’ve all experienced times when you met interesting people, while on vacation. You think to yourself, wow, I like that couple, they are down to earth and make me feel at home when I am in their company. Then, the vacation ends and all parties go their separate ways, with promises to write or call or make plans; same time, same place, the following year. Yup, I can see you nodding as you read this. The year goes by, neither one of you wanted to make the first move to cement the new friendship. Whether it be shyness, insecurities about how they really feel about you or just plain too busy at the time and just put it off for another day. However, that day doesn’t come because the next time you allow yourself to bring up all of those good memories of the vacation spent with the person or couple, you really clicked with, too much time has passed to comfortably dare to make the first move. Believe me, I understand acutely how easily time slips away. I recently started to think about this wonderful, elderly couple that WL and I met, by chance, while passing through the picturesque state of Wisconsin. We had been on the road for hours, returning leisurely from my daughter’s wedding in Colorado. We were so impressed with the natural beauty that each state owns. I never want to hear those words, “fly-over-country,” because to make such a blanket statement without seeing more of a particular state than the airport, does your spirit a great injustice. It is also being disrespectful to the proud citizens who live there. It is a smear based solely on its geographical location. That’s unfair! I was amazed at how huge the sky was while driving through Kansas. I used to think it was a place I could go a lifetime without seeing. Shame on me! It was such a beautiful sunset that seemed to go on forever. However, I digress. I’ll save some of those interesting details in another newsletter.  The thing is, WL and I passed through some lovely, country roads that had so much character, we couldn’t help but continue on the long route, rather than jump on the super-highway. We turned down the street that led to a tiny town, consisting of a gas station/convenience store and that’s about it. However, across the street from that little “rest stop,” was a blast from the past. We saw an antique, wooden garage, with collectibles of all kinds, set-up to resemble one of the very early gas stations. The pumps were colored bright red, tubular shaped with nothing that resembles digital anything, that we’ve become so used to these days. It was a showcase, not used, just there. Their were old, metal signs declaring the gas sold, such as “Esso.” WL was so impressed, he turned back to the convenience store and asked who owned the old replica display. We were given the directions to the home of the couple that owned the faux garage. The minute we pulled into the old farm road and parked in their driveway, we felt such a connection with these interesting collectors. You see, we also are habitual “pickers” of collectibles and antiques. This lovely, elderly couple came out to greet us, offered us iced tea and a chance to sit on their expansive porch and talk about the old days. Folks, it was one of the best highlights of the whole trip.  We’d spent hours sipping tea and peeking at all of their marvelous collections. Those are the things that bring people together. It’s a commonality, a similar respect for certain things, views and ways of living. Those are the ingredients leading to special friendships.We left their lovely farmhouse that day with a fresh outlook about strangers. Sometimes, you just click with people who live far away but remain close in your heart. Will we be inclined to take another trip to that countryside of Wisconsin again, with no need to pass through the state because of other obligations? You bet we would, in a sun-filled, minute! Have we ever opened our door to travelers who came to our home? You bet we have! A few summers ago, a strange car pulled into our driveway. A man came knocking at our front door exclaiming that he used to live it our home when he was an exchange student, many, many years ago. We were intrigued and asked him if he would like to come inside to refresh his youthful memories. He said he’d love to take us up on the offer, but, he had a car-full of family with him. Yes, folks, we invited the whole family into our air conditioned home and gave them a tour of the house. (No, we were not crazy. We were quite comfortable with these folks and knew they weren’t home invaders. (Who would have chosen the wrong home because we are well armed for our safety and personal protection.  ) However, I digress, yet again.Included in the group were an older couple, celebrating their fiftieth anniversary, their two adult grandchildren, the “exchange student,” and his wife. Since it was such a festive day for the couple, we asked if they would like to have some wine. We sat at the dining room table, sipping wine, munching on cheese and crackers and assorted fruits and nuts. It was the perfect mini-meal for the travelers who came all the way from Columbia, South America. Only a couple of them could speak English, but after a few minutes the comfort zone was there. We all communicated quite easily with one another and laughed and toasted the afternoon away. One of the younger ones chose soft drinks instead, as he was their driver for the day. We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses with them and said our goodbyes. One of the young adults forgot an envelope, with all of his traveling papers and emailed us a couple hours later.  We overnight-mailed them to the relative’s home where they were staying while on vacation. They were grateful and very relieved.A couple of weeks later, WL and I received a gift of a book in the mail. It was an author from his country that he wanted us to get to know. He thanked us for our hospitality and invited us to be their guests in Columbia. So, folks, you just never know who you will meet, either on your vacation or theirs. It’s totally up to you if you take the leap of faith that will allow such memorable connections to last a lifetime. I am dedicating this Newsletter, to my very dear friend, Bryce. He lost his fight with cancer, recently. I will miss him. However, I am happy he is no longer suffering. Rest in peace, Bryce.  It’s a wrap for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. Until next time, open your door and your heart to some good people who will become even better friends, with just a little bit of trust. Regards, Web~Witch 
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