[graciegirl]

I grew up in Ohio. I was in my late twenties before I took my first airplane ride and also in my twenties when I first met and talked to an Asian person and a Native American person. When I did I found that they were people no different than the ones I had known all of my life. People are people. They may have different customs and national origins and skin tones but we drift toward and feel comfortable with those who have a similar value system and way of living.


We may like people best who are family oriented, who we meet in church, or in a garden club or investment club or art class. When I was young I drifted toward those who enjoyed parenting classes and cooking and even those who belonged to a homemakers club. That is what I was focused on at the time. I feel most comfortable toward those who have like ideas about respecting others and working hard. I am not into swinging, singing, or bell ringing but as long as people don't try to get me to swing, sing or ring, I am fine with their doing it.


As we get older we are most comfortable with people who see the universe the way we do and I find that people do form friendships here based on immediate comfort and seeing the joy of life in others and recognizing that they have a similar attitude toward the world.


I am delighted that some folks here like an older, not skinny, white haired woman who enjoys people. I came here hoping that I would finds folks like that.


Yesterday I met a new friend who was so delightful that I immediately told her that I hoped we could be friends for a thousand years. She was younger than me, smarter than me, shorter than me and far superior to me in every way.


I think she had a pink complexion. But if she was purple with green spots and played the bassoon which she carried with her, I would have just loved her. I hope she reads this and knows that I was very sincere in my hope that we could be friends for a thousand years. Or fifteen would be nice.