For which I am thankful.

When we travel in Italy, I’d happily sit down on a park bench. With my Italian true love. And next to a random Italian stranger. And strike up a conversation. With the stranger, of course. With my true love serving as translator. Thing is, it doesn’t happen. Because my true love is shy about talking to strangers. Unless it’s imperative that we find our way. Then she’ll ask questions.  I could spend the whole day talking to strangers. Becoming acquainted. And maybe even stirring a friendship. But I don’t speak much Italian. That’s a handicap. But still, it doesn’t stop me from observing strangers. And if I learn that they speak English, I swing into action. I take advantage of every opportunity. It’s also taught me to cultivate strangers when I’m back in the states. Because it’s the right thing to do. And it satisfies my curiosity. I make it a regular practice to know something significant about a stranger within the first 10 minutes. My true love isn’t quite as curious. Except that she was curious about me. After the first 10 minutes. For which I am thankful. –Jim Broede