Sometimes I underestimate the impact that Sergio has on others. I simply forget what a lover of people he truly is. He is a great example for me. This week I tried to follow by his example.
The week started with the opportunity of travel. As always I worry about the accessibility of hotels, especially bathrooms. We were traveling out of the country, to Cancún, Mexico, and for a longer time than usual, this created another worry. Will his shoulders hold from all the travel on different terrain than what they are use to? I finally let the worry go and trusted that we would have a great time and that all of Sergio’s needs would be meet.
On our way to board the plane I allowed myself to relax enough to watch how people react to Sergio as he moved around the airport. The stares come almost immediately but so does my husband’s charm to counteract the awkwardness. Not for Sergio’s sake, but for the person staring. I continue to watch as he breaks the exchange with a” Hello how are you?” My reaction is to try and protect him from the glares, he just wants an opportunity to talk to everyone and anyone.
On our trip this happened over and over again. With each stare Sergio took as an invitation for conversation. Within a couple of days he decided to challenge me to a game of let’s make friends while at the poolside. I bravely took on the master of friendship making. This game lasted for three days. With every eye contact he used to gain a smile and with the smile came a conversation that lead to lunch or dinner. I was very quickly losing.
I had to change my strategy or be forced to throw in the white towel. I put on my game face with a smile and started to say hello to everyone I came to contact with. In time I was poolside making new friends. I was learning how a couple had just celebrated their tenth anniversary and how another couple meet on an online site. I learned how many children and grandchild some others had. The game was one that I began to enjoy and in the evening we would laugh as we counted how many new friends we has made. Disagreement came as we battled out which one of us had made the first contact. After the third day Sergio and I agreed that he had won.
I share this with you because I learned a lesson. Simple interactions led to sharing our lives. We all have a story to share. Seek to start conversations by simple smiles and genuine hellos. Thanks Sergio for challenging me in this way. I will work harder to win next time.
Let’s all set out to make a new friend this week. Challenge someone to do the same.
Let’s Keep Rolling on.
Norah and Sergio, since you contacted me about your site, and the contest you were trying to win, I have since subscribed, read your stories, seen your pictures, and although knowing you beforehand, I must say you both have always been a true inspiration in what a marriage, friendship, and life long partner is truley about. Your recent story about becoming friends with others and striking up a simple conversation could change someone, you, or transpire a new friendship. This story caught my attention. Im a pretty out going person, and I like to meet new people, However this time, under my circumstances, I was not looking to make someone smile, strike a conversation, nor meet a friend.
You see my Father just passed a week ago, and upon entering the funeral home, I was introduced to a woman (employee) that was going to assist us in our arrangements. Although she seemed to be carrying a load on her shoulders, and with all that Ive been enduring, I paid no attention, and proceeded to try and move on with our task, until as I started speak of my Father my voice started to crack, I started to weep, and she the (employee) starts to weep uncontrollably as well. Im trying to decipher if I said something wrong or why she was weeping. I couldnt help myself anymore, so I proceeded around her desk and gave her a hug and asked if she was ok. She looked up at me and said that today was her first day back at work after burying her Father a week prior. Shocked, because not thinking clearly you assume that her working in a funeral home was just a job, forgetting the employees have families too. After I offered her my condolences she gain some of her composure back, and stated to me, that out of all her friends at work, I a complete stranger was willing to go out my way and share a min of my time to say sorry, and ask if she was ok. To my suprise, I couldnt believe people could act as so. Unfortunetly the world is full of different individuals. So after reading your blog about smiling or even a simple hello to meet new friends and strike up conversation, I had to share this. You never know how a smile or simple conversation can help someone, we never know what another maybe going through in life, and a simple gesture or conversation may make anothers day, and you may gain a friendship from it. I now have another I can call my friend. Thank you for sharing your life stories, and inspiring others to be thankful, friendly and never give up. Thank You, God Bless
So sorry to hear of your loss. I cant imagine how hard the past days have been on you and your family. I hope you find comfort in knowing that our God can and will restore us. I want to thank you for your willingness to share your heart with us here but mostly with the lady that needed your kind words. It’s amazing how we can miss so many opportunities when we get caught up in our live and even in our pain. What a blessing that you reached out to someone in your own time need. Continue reaching out and sharing with us. Thanks for following us. Keep Rolling On. Norah