Random Thoughts: Everyone has a story
How little we know about the people who live among us. We miss some interesting experiences. Everyone has a story.
For the most part we are shy or don't feel we should interfere with other people's lives. It is sad because we often miss a lot. For instance, I happened to sit by a woman the other day. We kept to ourselves until she happened to mention that she had lived in China. Of course, I had to say I had been there. That opened a delightful conversation between us.
My neighbor across the alley is living and teaching in Spain. I'd love to hear some of her stories. I studied Spanish in high school and college and always thought I'd get to that country, but never did. My Spanish teacher in college was a young and handsome fellow from Argentina. We girls all fell in love with him, and he actually did marry one of my classmates.
People who keep exchange students seem to enjoy that contact. There is bound to be some exchange of culture. My son and his wife kept a student from Brazil. He came from a wealthy family and expected service. They had an interesting relationship; nevertheless they kept in contact several years.
It's a big world out there and knowing and learning from other cultures can be a real treat. If you can't meet them — read, read, read about them.
— NORMA HANNAFORD
