It’s A Small World
In preparation for this blog, I invite you to click the link below for appropriate background music. However, if you are like Martin and don’t have the same appreciation for dancing dolls in international costumes that I have, please skip this part.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxRW-duSCLA
One Sunday after church, Scottie, Polly, and I were discussing how often we come across friends, or friends of friends, at random moments in life. Everyone seems to have these “coincidence” stories.
For example, Jennette
and I were in the school gym cheering for the Galena Park Middle School girls'
volleyball team (Go, jackets!) when Sharlene walked past. We had met at a church event several weeks
previously, and she had no connection to my Galena Park world – or so I
thought. I recognized her after a few moments of sorting through the photo
album of my mind, and when I greeted her, she recognized me immediately. Or
maybe she recognized my church t-shirt. She was there cheering for her
grandson’s girlfriend’s niece from the opposing school. Now, that is random.
Several years ago, Betty and I were in line at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. The people in front of us began chatting and were delighted to find we were from Houston, Texas. The next question for Houstonians meeting in a faraway land is “What part of Houston?” I answered Galena Park, expecting that blank look indicating a total lack of familiarity with the awesome East side of town.
Instead, I got a very enthusiastic, “That’s where I grew up!” He had lived on 10th Street across from my grandparents. I remembered the Vickery family name, if not the people.
It’s a small
world, after all.
Another year, Martin and I were on our way to an Alaskan cruise with Rachel’s family, and at a store in Vancouver, Canada, someone heard Becky and me talking about Tomball, Texas. We discovered they taught in the Cypress School District, which is where Becky had taught. As they compared friend lists, I chimed in that I knew Robert, who lived in Galena Park but taught in Cypress. Our new friend actually taught with him and seemed to love him as much as I did.
It’s a small
world, after all.
Terri recruited a
backup team for our Hearts and Hands food pickup. We enjoyed a morning showing
them the route and procedures. As we visited in parking lots between stores, we
were excited to find that George graduated from Galena Park High School a few
years ahead of Martin. I asked if he knew my Aunt Cathy. He beamed as he shared
that his sister was her best friend in high school. I said (maybe screeched),
“Is your sister Barbara Bordovsky?” She was. He, too, had lived on 10th
Street across from my grandparents. It was apparently a popular address. I
shared that my aunt died in May, and they shared that they had been at her
funeral.
It’s a small,
small world.
The lesson to be
learned is – behave well because someone watching might know your grandmother.
I can hardly wait to
see who I will meet tomorrow.
PS – Please note that
in the comments, I have added stories that were shared with me. Feel free to
add stories of your own.
When in Japan, he heard someone call out “Lamar Smith from Mineola, Texas! Is that you?” And Lamar turned to find an old friend from his hometown who was serving there as a missionary. They were able to do some sightseeing together.
ReplyDeleteSavana was looking at pictures of Evan’s pre-school class and recognized the director as her counselor at church camp at Lakeview.
ReplyDeleteIn Ruidoso, NM Scottie’s college roommate met another couple who had attended Texas A&M. When she learned they were from Baytown she shared that her college roommate was from Baytown, as well. And the husband laughed and said that was his high school girlfriend.
ReplyDeletePolly shared that she lost contact with her best friend in school when her family moved from Oklahoma to Texas. Years later, her grandmother treated her to a European vacation, and she ran into that friend in Florence, Italy.
ReplyDeleteScottie was at a hotel in London and when the elevator door opened she was face-to-face with an acquaintance from Baytown.
ReplyDeleteIn New York, Scottie and her daughter were at a museum when the docent commented on their Texas accents. Turns out she was the aunt to the daughter’s friend who lived one street from them.
ReplyDeleteIn 1973, I was traveling in Europe - my big adventure after graduation. I was walking into the Louvre in Paris and was standing in line behind a guy who lived in the same apartment complex and I did in Austin.Freaky. You're right - best be kind to everyone - you just never now what connections may arise.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I show us as anonymous - it's Paula, girlfriend
ReplyDeleteshow up
ReplyDelete