As the weather was warm (albeit windy), we went to the lake beach for the first time this summer. I inflated a couple airbed things while my wife cut up some melon and packed the towels, and we were off. It isn't far, so it didn't take long and it is nice because we don't have to pack much.
When we arrived, the carpark was only about half full, as it is still midsummer weekend and a lot of people are away, plus - windy. However, as we walked onto the beach an early-20s woman runs up to us squealing, and it took a split second for it to register who it was. Our friend's daughter - who we found out came back two weeks ago after living abroad in Australia and SE Asia for the last five years. Her mum was there also, some of their friends and her younger brother, who has now grown into a man.
We have known them since they were seven and five years of age.
It was a pleasant surprise for sure.
Instead of the relaxing beach day sitting around, we ended up chatting and joking, catching up on the kid's lives, and playing volleyball. It was also funny, because while they knew Smallsteps and immediately started talking to her, she didn't really remember them - but didn't let that stop her. And then, a couple of her friends happened to be there also throughout the day, so she would go off and swim with the kids while we talked, and then come back to play volleyball.
I wish this was more common.
If schedules allow, the other cool thing is that the kids (and the dad) are into Formula One, so they are planning to come around for the race next weekend. This means that if the weather is good, we can grill some burgers or something prior and make a day of it. We used to do it all the time with this family, but over the years and after their divorce (even though very amicable) things just slipped.
Kids grow up, patterns change, people drift apart.
This doesn't mean there can't be a reconnection. And I would love that with all the misery of what is coming with the crushing of humanness through automation and AI, we can start to drive human experience based on physical, mental and social wellbeing. Rebuild communities to be supportive and interesting spaces to grow, rather than crowds to fear. Perhaps over time we will redesign cities to encourage and accommodate healthy human interaction, rather than efficiency of corporation.
But that is some time off, at the very least.
So for now, I have to be content with a chance meeting and the reminder that I can start doing more social engineering myself. Building my life to meet people I want to meet, more.
Taraz
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I reconnect with my friends very easily whenever I'm back in Germany. I wouldn't see them for years, nor talk to them, and yet the flame is still there, easy to kindle.
I miss the lakes. SO much. It was always my favorite part of living in Germany, swimming in the lakes and lying on the grass, smelling the sweet summer sweat on the skin. Lily said she wants to go back to Germany, soon. I told her next summer. I would love to share that experience with her. Maybe that will become true.
It is definitely a different feel to the sea. I am more a sea person, but I have cone to like the lakes. A lot too.
Do you reckon Lily will end up moving to Germany when older?
I hope so. My plan for her is to study there. Maybe the last two years of high school, too. She loves it there, but knows it only from vacation.
Ending high school would be the way to go, otherwise it could be a big step in change of culture for university. Though, I guess others do it, right? :)
Yeah, but Ecuadorian school culture to European university culture might just be a little too much. There is a German school in Quito, though, which we might explore when Kami is ready for University here, which will probably be in Quito. She's not keen on learning German, so... :-D
Hey friend this was such a nice slice of real life to read
It feels like you are pointing out something a lot of people forget that relationships do not really end they just go quiet for a while
Do you think these random reconnections are just luck or do they actually happen more when people are open to it
Luck to some degree, but luck is also "made" by conditions. A lot of people seem to lock themselves at home, and then wonder why they are lonely :)
In my opinion, luck is just one variable in a big formula
It acts like a multiplier If your other efforts are zero, luck doesn't change anything
But when those other factors are greater than one, that’s when luck really makes a difference.
Running into folks is the best. 🙂
Yeah - especially when there is time to talk.
true. i think many ppl online and also in real life sometimes think a non talkative introvert like me is just not hearing what they said or am not putting effort simply due to the length or my comment. i often feel i've been second guessed or like ppl think i don't read or think about what their post said, and it does make me sad.. like i am thinking 'dude, let ppl say what they can or want to say about it.' ie. sometimes i read something and it triggers a thought of something totally unrelated, and i just say that.. but at least i am commenting and sharing, right?? i don't mean u.. i mean a few other hivers. i'm sure u get what i mean..
Time really flies when you see kids you once new all grown up, I also like the part that you mentioned about reconnecting with people after years apart. Sometimes the best day are the ones that don't go according to plan.
Do you have a large or small circle of friends in your opinion?
I have a small cycle of Friends, but I value close and genuine connections more than having many friends.
There’s a special magic to those impromptu plans that end up being the most memorable; sometimes the ‘no plan’ is the best plan of all. Smallsteps looks absolutely charming and full of life in her red swimsuit – you can tell she enjoyed the moment to the full. Many blessings to her – may she continue to grow with that infectious joy. A big hug to the family!
It was funny afterward as she said she still doesn't remember who they were from the past, but is looking forward to seeing them again :)
Yay for running into old friends! And very much yes to the closing statement.
Just out of curiousity do you find that you have to be the driver/organiser of most gatherings? I feel like it's always me (I am the absolute worst at organising anything, I struggle to organise my way out of a flimsy wet paper bag) and Eldest recently asked me about the same (he feels like it's always him).
Do you guys have to worry about bacteria and beaches getting closed like we do over here? There are usually a few red flag warnings each weekend in the summer across the state.
What a lovely, cheerful post. Glad you got some social connection of such calibre.
That’s a wonderful snapshot of how a day can unfold in unexpected but meaningful ways! 😍
What makes this reflection resonate is that it captures the texture of friendship; sometimes imperfect, sometimes surprising, but always valuable. 😇