Surprise Gifts of New Friends

Make new friends,

but keep the old.

One is silver,

the other is gold.
Girl Scout Song

The Pocono 400 NASCAR race we never attended created a new friendship we never intended.

Travelling in the Pocono Mountains with my good friend, Kathy, I booked a low cost hotel for our writing retreat. We actually didn’t plan to stay there, rather in a luxurious resort. We had heard that we could book last minute reservations at a fraction of the cost through an online discount travel website. Unbeknownst to us, all of the high-end hotel rooms were taken because of the race.

Our first day in the mountains was wet and soggy. For writing inspiration, we visited a historical resort while waiting for the torrential downpour to subside. In addition to writing, we intended to ride bicycles through the lush forest. My expectations for the trip were rapidly washing away as I sat rocking on the big porch. Discouraged that the rain was dampening our experience, I was delighted when my dear sister-in-law called and invited us to her house, only two hours away.

Often it is valuable to be flexible, thus opening yourself to unexpected possibilities. Little did I know at the time that this change of plans would provide the opportunity for me to give today’s gift.

With GPS and a Google map printout, we headed for unfamiliar territory, leaving Pennsylvania for New Jersey. After hours of twists and turns through the beautiful green New Jersey hills, we arrived at Catharine’s house. 

Have you ever introduced friends expecting them to enjoy their similar traits and then find that the relationship grows to be even better than you could have guessed? Within hours we were laughing on a sailboat pointing toward New York City. We talked, ate, and shared stories. Our laughter echoed in the wind.

At dinner on the night before we parted, Catharine thanked me for giving her the gift of a new friend.

I encourage you to make magic happen by introducing good people to other good people.

In Giving and Friendship,

Robin