The importance of being available to talk

I recently boarded a plane in Phoenix. Not a long flight to Denver but it was late. I was sun burnt, tired and cranky. And isn't it tedious to sit suspended in the air for an hour or so with equally tired strangers?

Normally I would have retreated into fiction. Kindle ready,I was only waiting for the announcement giving the okay for electronic use. I planned to lose myself in a world of fantasy and make-believe where everything I read has a happy ending.

And then the woman next to me asked what I was reading...

I smiled politely, gave an abbreviated reply, and lowered my eyes back to the print thinking that would be the end of it. I was actually surprised when she spoke again but that was all it took. Her comment caught my interest and we began to talk.

Much the same age, we discovered we had the 70's in common and spent the entire flight laughing over things from that decade. TV shows, movies, and music were easily dealt with but it was the old fashions and fabrics that really got us laughing.

We were landing in Denver before I knew it.

Just think of what I'd missed if she hadn't taken the initiative to speak. What if I hadn't made myself accessible? I would have missed out on reminiscing, a pleasant chat, and a new friend.

So, Tammy, thanks for speaking up and keep in touch.