This morning I decided to try to move out of my shell a bit, and joined in on the Hatch, a monthly virtual coffee hour for those who support the Isolation Journals. What I didn’t realize was that when we are encouraged to write it’s difficult to get started. So, I looked at one of the prompts from the month of April and decided to write about that.
Dead wrong is a subject that is easy for me! Immediately it took me back to my time as an exchange student in Australia. I had signed up to join about 30 other exchange students who came from many countries for a three week bus tour up the Eastern coast, then west and south through places like Ayers Rock.
I remember very quickly forming a dislike for one of the very outspoken girls from South Africa. She was bossy, and scared me. I stayed as far away from her as I could, just because I couldn’t imagine that she would be kind to me, or even like me. Within a few days many of the other teens also stayed away from her, and I saw that she was alone in setting up lunch for everyone (we took turns and helped each other on most days). So, without speaking, I started to help her with the tasks. Sharon warmed up to me…or maybe I was the one who warmed up to her? After that day we became closer and closer friends.
Following my year in Australia, Sharon and I kept in touch. I set a poem of hers to music. She made me a necklace out of beads (which I still have). We stayed in each other’s lives for a few years, then both got busy with raising families and work. Several years ago she found me on Facebook! It was so exciting to reconnect with Sharon, and I enjoy the odd random conversations that we have on Facebook.
I was so wrong regarding my first impressions of Sharon. She is a warm, loveable, caring person, intelligent and wise. Many times since that year I have approached strangers in a similar way, and reminded myself that perhaps I will be dead wrong about them as well. Perhaps the best way is to listen and watch before forming opinions?
Reflections 