Surprises. You either like them, or you don’t. I am the kind of person who likes to know what to expect. Spontaneity is not my forte. I recently traveled to Kentucky on a business trip and was going to be working with a colleague I had not worked with before. My introverted self always gets a bit nervous when I work with new people because it is just my nature. When I landed, she texted me and said that she was running late and one of her colleagues would pick me up. “Just look for the maroon Yukon”.
Hmm. How will they know who I am? Where do I meet them? I realized quickly that the airport was not very big, so being found would not be a problem. But who was picking me up? Then I saw the maroon Yukon coming my way. I looked in the window trying to see who the person was, and I was greeted by a very familiar smile! It was one of my former co-workers! I was completely surprised!! She got out of the truck and ran over to me and gave me the most wonderful hug. It was the kind of hug that you give someone who you have not seen in a very, long time. The kind of hug that tells you that you have been dearly missed. The kind of hug that makes you feel loved. It was the best surprise I have had in a very, long time.
She heard I was coming into town and insisted on picking me up just to spend a few minutes with me. We caught up and had lunch the next day before I headed home. Hearing her good ole’ Kentucky drawl, realizing she could not say “rural,” and learning about “soup beans” and “hot browns”. I laughed like I have not laughed in a very, very long time. It did my heart good.
I wonder how often we truly get to tell others how much they mean to us. Maybe not even in words, but in our actions. A random text, but a handwritten note is even better. A phone call for no reason, but maybe even Face Time or Skype/Zoom. We connect with people on so many levels but when we are not working with them, are in the same physical place as they are we let go and often won’t revisit those relationships that at one time were very important to us.
Today I was reminded of a friendship and part of my life that I had left behind.
I am so, incredibly blessed to have had that beautiful smile greet me, hug me and let me know that I was loved.
Today I Am Thankful For:
- Laughter
- Bottled water
- Horse farms
- Good friends
- surprises
