I just got back from the store where I ran into Will and Carla, for the third time in a week. I had first met Will when standing in the local grocery store (HEB) express line, which was about 20 people deep at the time.

He commented to me, a random stranger, that this express line didn’t look like it was “too express” at that moment. I agreed, but replied, “It actually goes pretty fast.” There are seven stations in that express line, so it moves along quickly. I noticed he had coffee and Earl Grey tea, which is one of my favorites, and I told him so. I also was intrigued because of his English accent.

Our conversation was cut short, because by then there was an open spot for him at the self serve cash register. I had a place seconds later and was finished with my purchases in a matter of minutes. I touched his shoulder on my way out, as he was scanning his last item, and said, “I beat.”

He smiled and continued scanning his items. As I approached the exit door, he whizzed past me and said, “Now, I am ahead of you.” It was a brief, but fun, encounter.

I headed over to the library next to return a book. I stopped by Target on the way for one or two times and then drove the couple of miles to the library.

As I entered the lobby I saw two women talking to – guess who? Will. We both pointed at each other and exclaimed, “I know you.” We hadn’t exchanged names, but our familiarity felt instantaneous. I learned that one of the women was his wife, Carla, and the other was a friend of theirs with whom they were just chatting. I discovered that they had also just been to Target.

I joined the conversation for awhile, learned we were all from Plum Creek in Kyle, and that we all had moved to Texas to be with our grandchildren. The other woman was now moving back to Ohio, since the grandkids weren’t living in this area any longer, and Will and Carla were moving to New Hampshire after being in Texas for 12 years. Their grandkids were all grown and they no longer felt the family needed them. They were going back to be with their other daughter and her family, plus they liked New England much better than Texas.

I left them to drop my book off, put a reserve on two more and then headed back out. Will, Carla, and the other lady were still talking, so I joined their conversation for a little longer. Finally, they decided they had better get home and we all said good-bye.

So, today I’m walking into Lowe’s and guess who is coming out of the store? That’s right – Will and Carla. I noticed they had some moving boxes along with a few other items. I joked that I had just come from HEB and they mentioned they were just on their way there. I also mentioned thatI might have some book boxes if they needed any. They said sure and Will gave me his number to punch into my phone, so I could call him and then he would have my number.

They then asked about moving companies. I shared with them about our having dodged a bullet with a sketchy moving brokerage company and our subsequent great experience with using PODS.

This was actually when I learned their names and they said it was such a shame that they were moving, because our paths’ frequent crossing had been enjoyable. I felt the same.

Why is it that some close friendships begin just as you are leaving an area? It got me thinking that sometimes when you move you don’t realize how important certain places or people are in your life until they are out of the picture.

There are some friends whom I miss deeply and I didn’t realize how important they were until I moved 1,700 miles away. Oh, I can still keep in touch, but it is not the same. Before I moved I could have just taken a moment to stop by when I was in the vicinity of their home or work place.

The main thing I learned today is not to take friendships for granted. When I connect closely with someone, I need to make sure I take time to be with them and to let them know I am thankful for their presence. I also realize there are future friendships out there, and I need to make the most of them when they present themselves.

So, friends, thank you for letting me share these thoughts with you and I hope you realize when I say “Welcome In” I mean please join me in my journey, just as I would like to join you in yours.

Blessings from a beach,

Randy