I’ve always heard that traveling turns people into storytellers.  It must be true because I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says,

“Traveling…It leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller.”

All I know is that it MUST be true since it is on a magnet!  It has certainly made me become more of a storyteller.  It seems that I can easily make people feel what I felt when I tell them about certain bits of each trip. 

Here is just one example of when I became a true storyteller.  I had gone to the Finger Lakes in upper New York.  This was a trip that I was super excited about.  I had heard about all of the legendary wines that are made in that super rich area of New York.  I had no real idea of what to expect, other than I was hoping to taste some delicious new wines.  Yes, I was alone and wandering the gorgeous countryside venturing from one winery to another and yet another.  I had visited three wineries that day and I pulled in to the fourth one.  I went in and asked for a wine tasting, then I proceeded to walk around the room looking and shopping their wares.  The staff were fun and friendly and outgoing.  Everyone there laughed as we all talked.  At one point I asked if I could have someone take my picture with the staff.  A couple who had seated themselves next to me offered to take our pictures.  We struck up a conversation and I was asked (as always) who was I here with?  My typical response,” I came here by myself from Texas!”  Next thing I know, I was asked to go to dinner with this nice couple!

Then I was getting in my car to follow the couple out of the parking lot.  Imagine my surprise when we pulled up to a three-story house overlooking the beautiful lake!  I thought I was following them to a restaurant!  They had invited me to eat dinner with them at their house, not at a restaurant like I had envisioned.  I texted my daughter and two good friends and told them all, “I am going to dinner at the house of this couple I just met.  They are cooking dinner for me.  I will text again when I leave.”   Needless to say, they were all shocked and surprised that I would just go off with people I had known less than 6 minutes!  But I did!

I was entertained and fed very well there.  I stayed for about 4 hours talking and laughing and just having fun getting to know new people.  It was great!  When I got in my car headed back to my place, I looked at my phone and had so many text messages from my daughter and both friends asking if I was alright.  I sent a quick text to tell all of them that Yes, I am fine and I am headed back to my room for the night.  No, I wasn’t held at gunpoint and yes, I would text them with details once I was safely back in my room which I did about an hour later!  I could almost hear their collective sigh of relief!

Maybe I am just too trusting or naive but it truly never occurred to me that I could have been harmed.  I just believed this sweet couple and I am so glad that I trusted them!  That night has definitely become one of my favorite stories to tell other folks.  It seems that people tend not to trust others and especially those they have just met.  I believe differently than most.  I believe that people are inherently good people.  When people are treated kindly, they usually react with kindness too.

This story makes me realize even more that life is a journey and we each can make it be enjoyable if that is what we choose.  I am a firm believer that each person chooses how they react to everything they come in contact with.  I choose to be happy.  I have had some people tell me that, “No one can be that happy ALL the time like you!  That’s not normal!”  My response is, “No, it probably isn’t normal but that is me.”  Every morning I wake up and I choose to be happy that day and make the best of each day.  I don’t complain and I don’t listen to people who are negative.  I have deleted many negative people from my life and for good reason.

So, I choose to believe the best in everyone I meet, even if I have only spoken to them for less than 6 minutes.  We can learn a lot from one another when we really ask the right questions and listen to the answers in those brief 6 minutes.  I felt like I got to know this couple and I’m happy I made the right decision to follow them and eat dinner with them that night.  It was spontaneous but now it has become a cherished memory for me of a wonderful time getting to know new friends.  It makes me want to visit the Finger Lakes again once it becomes easier to travel after this pandemic.  In fact, they have invited me to stay with them next time I am up that way.  I plan to take them up on that!

Moral to the story is:  Take a chance.  You will never know what could have happened if you never take that first leap!  Life is too short so choose happy and trust someone new!

My life motto is:  Every day is a good day but some days are better than others!”  I truly believe this.  And I live it every single day!

Love,