I have always been slow to make friends, and as such, I treasure those relationships. I have a handful of true friends I have known for years and share many happy memories with. And maybe that is why I always thought that a friendship was like fine wine. It needed to grow and mature over a long period of time. But thanks to a real-life Mermaid, I have learned that a friend can come into your life and touch your heart in a very short time.
Being a part of the full-time RV crowd now, I knew abstractly that we would see many people and “neighbors” come and go. But I never thought that would be a problem. We would smile, wave, and off they, or we would go. But I quickly learned that would not always be the case. At our first stop on our new adventure, we met a wonderful couple while our stays overlapped for about a week. Then they were headed north.
However, in those few days, I became friends with Pam, a real Weeki Wachee Mermaid. I had not thought of that show in many decades since I watched it as a child in the 70s. That was just one of the stories we shared that revealed many interesting facts from our pasts and our hopes for the future. But the most important lesson that I learned from my Mermaid friend is that friendship is about a connection, not a length of time. And I need to be willing to embrace the gift of friendship no matter how short our visit might be.
Not every person or fellow RVer will be a friend. But those that are will always be with me in my heart, no matter where they or I travel. These short visits and fast friends are gifts that add to our journey with bright brushstrokes of color. They bring meaning, joy, and happiness to the tapestry that is our life.
Thank you, Pam, for helping me learn this valuable lesson that will enhance my travels forever. Be safe, have fun, and enjoy all the gifts your adventures have in store for you and Bob!