The Endearing of Souls

Exactly what is it that connects souls? One to another. A group to another group. Couples to each other and to other couples. Plain old people to people sort of hookups. Sometimes geography, mutual friends, belonging to the same club or group, or just meeting in public somewhere. Who knows. But I do know one thing -- I've become a victim. And if you know me, you know that I rarely believe anyone is a victim....but, rather, usually volunteers. So, for me to claim to be a victim is something.

I can't tell you the joy it's brought me to have been the house guest of these guys:

Sean and Jeffrey treated me like the princess I've always deep down thought I was. I had my own room with fresh sheets. The refrigerator was stocked with drinks and yummies. I found fresh hot coffee available every morning when I got up. They picked me up at the Albany airport after a busy work day when I'm sure they'd rather have been relaxing at home. They introduced me to a million of their close-knit group of friends. I was able to participate in one of Sean's favorite activities with him....A Cosmo at Rocks bar in Albany. And (giant sacrifice!) they got up at 3:30am today to drag my tired arse back to the airport for a 6am flight to Chicago and then on to Portland. All without complaining. In fact, with smiles and happy thoughts. I even talked Sean into dragging out his trombone and playing a few diddys. He really enjoys playing and I always enjoy good music so it worked out well. And Jeffrey entertained me forever with the stuff I am totally into like all of Albany's historical data and stats. How far it is from here to there, the history behind things, who votes for whom, etc. And I love hearing people's family histories, where they've come from, and where they want to go in life. And who can hold out for a good old fashioned game of Who Is the Biggest Pervert. And the showstopper of the evening had to be this apron shot:

Sean whipped us up some yummy food (in spite of the fact that we had pasta for days the entire time I was there). We barely ate any of his food last night. But the Naked Chef Extravaganza was second to none.

They treated me to brunch at The American Hotel in Sharon Springs. Allowed me to lounge, in whatever shape or form I was in, on their couch -- the three of us with laptops in hand, blogging, emailing, chatting, watching news and politics, listening to music. It was so low-key. So comfortable. So perfect.

I don't know what you call it. Divine intervention. Happenstance. Whatever. It was great. To have made a connection with those I'd never met before. Some said we were both crazy -- him for allowing me to fly across the country and stay with them sight unseen and me for wanting to do it! We both took a chance, lived adventurously, and tossed caution to the wind. We're both that way in that sense. But I can unequivocally say to the naysayers that they were 100% wrong. I can't exactly put my finger on it. But this is one set of friendships that will be around for a long, long time. And I am confident that my life is sweeter and more complete for having met them. So, to my good friends Sean and Jeffrey, tonight as you put your heads down on your pillows (sans me in the guest room) I want you to know what a beautiful impact you have made on my life. Like a meteor that crashed into earth and leaves a giant deep hole. That's what you've done. It'll be there for a long, long time. Saying Thank You seems shallow and trite. But it's polite. And it's horribly true. You're the best. My entire collection of photos is HERE. And Sean's collection is HERE. No blackmail, please.