The people here are great, eh?
Isn’t it fascinating how little of a connection we need to become friends with people? This story begins with my new Canadian friends. Myrna, I met at pool volleyball at Outdoor Resorts at Long Key, Florida (ORLK). A couple of days later, when I arrived at the St. Patty’s Day party, she invited me to sit with her. She grabbed a chair for me and introduced me to her husband, Ernie, her cousin Anita, and Anita’s husband, Tom, all from Ontario. I told them I visited Ontario on my first trip in my motorhome and that my dad had relatives there.
When I said I could remember Tom’s name because that was my brother’s name, Tom said, “and he’s your favorite brother, right?”
I said, “yes that’s what I tell him all the time.”
Then, of course, Tom said, “he’s your only brother, right?”
Somehow, in all the laughter, Tom became my “other favorite brother” and the other three became my “Canadian cousins.” After the usual questions of where are you from, when did you get here, what’s your story, and how did you find out about Outdoor Resorts?, Anita said, “the people here are great, eh?” I had to agree! My new cousins got me dancing (I don’t dance) and we exchanged pictures and phone numbers. They showed me a great time at the party. After that, we saw each other nearly every day, playing volleyball, ping-pong, bocce ball, pickleball, and even went to a play together at the Marathon Community Theater. We also enjoyed sunset chats and neighborhood walks until the night before they left.
Another friend I met at pool volleyball is Sheila. Sheila is Beautiful with a capital B, inside and out. She is from Michigan, so having been born in Michigan myself, it was an instant connection. Despite enduring the recent tragic deaths of three loved ones, Sheila maintains a cheery, infectious disposition. Everyone loves her. Sheila went home to snow a few days later, but we will certainly stay connected.
When I met Dave, he looked at me and said, “You need to know, I’m legally blind, so if the volleyball comes to us, go ahead and hit it. Don’t assume I’m going to see it.”
Dave told me he is from Bloomington, Indiana. Because I got a master’s degree from Indiana University, Bloomington, I knew we would be friends. One day I stopped at Dave’s lot, and we talked about writing, riding, his eyes, ownership at Outdoor Resorts, family, you name it. He and his wife, Sally, took me to church on Easter Sunday. They introduced me to Pastor Brad, who baptized me in the canal of the Atlantic by the church the next week. Such special people!
Everyone I have met at ORLK has been over-the-top friendly. Even though some have wintered here for 5, 10, 20, or even 30 years, they have included me as one of their own. Snowbirds could be cliquish, but they are the opposite, as they welcome everyone.
Thanks to Ray (A Ray Of Sunshine) for inviting me to Outdoor Resorts; I have a park full of new friends. As I prepare to leave, two weeks after my original departure date, I say a big thank you to all who made my stay so special. Because of you, not only do I not want to leave, but you also have me seriously considering coming back. You are truly special people.
Yes, Anita, I must agree, the people at ORLK are great! Beautiful inside and out, eh? (PS, I know you told me Canadians never write out that word, but it’s my new favorite word. It will take me a while to learn when and how to use it. Maybe I can get some personal coaching on Canadian speak when I come visit you via Indiana and Michigan, eh?)
April 11, 2024 @ 3:43 pm
Wow….thanks for the vignette in that latest blog…makes me feel kind of famous! I’m so happy we connected…it was meant to be & I am confident that there will be more fun times together. EH?
April 11, 2024 @ 4:01 pm
I’m laughing out loud! I certainly hope to hang with you guys again! Yes, we had some fun times, eh?!
April 11, 2024 @ 3:55 pm
The travel experience always seems to welcome new, helpful fiends.
Thanks for sharing your month + stay in the Keys
April 11, 2024 @ 4:03 pm
Thanks, Tim. And thanks for letting me hang with you on my way down. Florida is a great place to hang, eh?
April 11, 2024 @ 4:17 pm
What a wonderful “extended family” you have Joy! You are very blessed! And what is even more special is that you got baptized! God’s family is huge, worldwide, knows no stranger and is a foretaste of heaven! You’re always welcome in our personal family! You do know that, eh?
April 11, 2024 @ 5:26 pm
I agree 100%, Cheryl. I am blessed. Thanks so much. Yes, you welcomed me into your family as readily as my Canadian cousins. And you know you make the best lasagna on the planet, eh? I don’t think I used that eh right, but you got the idea, eh?
April 11, 2024 @ 8:55 pm
thanks!
April 11, 2024 @ 4:42 pm
Joy, I love how you make new friends wherever you go!!
April 11, 2024 @ 5:20 pm
Thanks, Nancy! I love it too! I am blessed with so many new friends and old. And . . . new cousins and old too, eh?
April 13, 2024 @ 2:04 pm
Just wanted to tell you that were 8 kids in my husbands Phil family plus mom and dad with one bathroom. Phil said and his brother Dick who was in the Keys with us liked ti read in the bathroom so I’m sure there had to be a little yelling like get out! Take care enjoy Joy and be careful . Hope to seen you again Peggy
April 13, 2024 @ 5:35 pm
Oh my goodness! Ten with one bathroom??? That’s a lot! And a reader too? I bet that was crazy! Safe travels, Peggy. Hope to see you again too. I looked for you at the pool this afternoon and then remembered you were gone.
Thanks for commenting!
April 15, 2024 @ 11:12 am
So much fun!! Makes me want to go along, Joy!! I’m not surprised you make so many friends! You are so good at connecting with people!! What a blessing you are, and the blessings are returned!! So excited for your baptism as well, Joy! You have been a Christian for so long, but to cement it with the public commitment is so special!! I wish I could’ve been there to celebrate your “wedding” with you! So exciting! Blessings on your return trip and we look forward to seeing you back to hang out with your Georgia family!
April 18, 2024 @ 10:40 pm
Thank you so much, Julia. Wish you could have been there too. I know I am blessed. Sad to be leaving Florida, but look forward to getting home too. Hope to see you in May.
May 12, 2024 @ 7:12 am
Joy, I so enjoyed your Blog. I finally got it thru FB!
It’s amazing to me how you can make so many friends. It seems so easy for you.
Thanks for keeping in touch
May 12, 2024 @ 11:58 pm
Yay! I’m glad you got to read it. I figured you would like the ones from Florida since you’ve been to the Keys. I love making new friends. It’s easy because I keep meeting great people like you. Hope to meet up with you again, but in the meantime, texting, calling, Facebook and my blog seem to be working.
May 13, 2024 @ 7:58 pm
You do not appear to meet any strangers in your travels. You are welcoming and sincere about getting to know people, and I’m sure they sense that. What a blessing!
No wonder you enjoy traveling so much! Enjoy!
May 15, 2024 @ 1:06 am
Thanks for the kind words, Sherry. I know I am truly blessed to have so many great friends.