this endearing rhythm of interaction whenever he met someone new. It began with a question, followed by an expression of surprise, a wistful admission, then a vow—all capped off by a toast. “Where are you from?” he would ask, or “Where are you headed?” “You don’t say!” “I wish I could go there one day . . .” “I will go there one day!” “To X—!” That sequence of conversation isn’t so uncommon, you might protest. Maybe not. But what made Smitty’s approach so unusual was that he took each step in the sequence so sincerely. He was genuinely curious about where you were from or where you were
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