It certainly is a small world !

[The emperor has no clothes]

Today was a very busy day at work. For some reason people celebrate the birth of our country by consuming large quantities of dead animals, along with large quantities of fermented beverages. I was working my butt off most of the day, but I try to pay attention to customers who need help also as I'm working. As I'm stocking away I see a couple shopping that I haven't seen before. That in itself is not really unusual, we get a lot of tourists here especially on the holidays. But something about the lady seemed familiar. I couldn't think of it, but it seemed like I had met her before or something. But, I couldn't figure it out and went on with my work. But it kept kind of gnawing at me. After about 15 or 20 minutes something dinged in my head. She looked like an old friend of mines little sister. But that was 35 years ago, and she was only 10 or 12 years old at the time. Peoples looks change a lot from 12 to late 40's, and I thought no it can't be her.
 But, it kept bothering me. After another 10 or 15 minutes, I decided I was just going to find out. Luckily I found them still in the store shopping. I couldn't remember my friends sister's name, and it seemed awkward but I just walked up to her and said "excuse me ma'am this is kind of weird, but do you have a brother named Todd ?" She looked at me and a funny look came over her face and she just said "Rob ?"
  Ah...the awkwardness was broken. We talked for a while, and turns out she and her husband just moved here 3 months ago. She is an E.R. Nurse and he a helicopter pilot for the hospital life flight service. Time and distance has separated my friend Todd and I. I think the last time I talked to him must be 25 years ago. Strangely enough he has moved back to Kenai, where I will be going in 6 days. We exchanged phone numbers and I look forward to seeing my old friend of a bygone era very soon.

Even though I worked my butt off today harder than I have in a long time, it was a good day ! 

[scooperhsd]

Couple weeks ago - found out my younger sister was going out with a guy who lived a couple doors down from my Mom and Dad's house, until they movedto somewhere else in town. Maybe i'll get to see him this weekend....

[Bigwolf]

Rob,
That’s a good story! 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Rob,
That’s a good story! 

Thanks, Jerry  It was a nice, shiny, bright spot to a brutal work day.

[Red Diamond]

Thanks for sharing Rob, kind of reminds me of the friendships we had while living in San Francisco, some we talk to once in every blue moon, some not at all. 40 years gone.

[RainMaker]

That's a good day in anyone's book.

[hubcapsc]

small world: there were so many of us in the Colorado area
a few weeks ago, I ran into Britman unexpectedly at Montrose
and Mitch unexpectedly at Durango...

-Mike

[Wizzard]

Cool story. I love it when stuff like that happens

[Willow]

Rob, I was with you until you said she recognized you with all the changes in the last 35 years.  That's not possible , is it, Rob?   

LOL!  It is a small world and it's good to reconnect with someone of the distant past.   

[Gryphon Rider]

I've changed enough over the years that people who knew me in my 20s often don't recognize me until I say my name.  I was slimmer, had no beard/moustache, styled my hair like a "new wave" band member, and wore glasses (I've since had my eyes lasered).

A couple of years ago when I was in line to either drop off or pick up a prescription at the local mega grocery store, a woman walked by to stand behind me in line.  I knew I had gone to school with her, but couldn't remember where or when.  I turned around and asked, "Didn't we go to school together?"

She looked at me and with a big smile said, "Yes, Kevin, grade five and six, Mrs. ___'s class!"

I was amazed she could put it together so quickly, especially since I hardly look like I did at 10 or 11.  I should have been able to place her more quickly than I did, because she had hardly changed, other than being a little more wrinkly than most others of our age, and because I came second-place to her in our fifth-grade class election.

Although she only lives about a mile from me, I haven't seen her since.

[Jess from VA]

My small world is when I go to the back of my closets and dressers and pull out old (but still serviceable) clothing (mainly jeans), and wonder how I ever fit into them.

(And I have already made two big pile donations to Goodwill/Salvation Army with nice clothing and shoes and coats and even suits.)

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've changed enough over the years that people who knew me in my 20s often don't recognize me until I say my name.  I was slimmer, had no beard/moustache, styled my hair like a "new wave" band member, and wore glasses (I've since had my eyes lasered).

A couple of years ago when I was in line to either drop off or pick up a prescription at the local mega grocery store, a woman walked by to stand behind me in line.  I knew I had gone to school with her, but couldn't remember where or when.  I turned around and asked, "Didn't we go to school together?"

She looked at me and with a big smile said, "Yes, Kevin, grade five and six, Mrs. ___'s class!"

I was amazed she could put it together so quickly, especially since I hardly look like I did at 10 or 11.  I should have been able to place her more quickly than I did, because she had hardly changed, other than being a little more wrinkly than most others of our age, and because I came second-place to her in our fifth-grade class election.

Although she only lives about a mile from me, I haven't seen her since.

she clearly remembers whooping you in the class election.

Rob, I was with you until you said she recognized you with all the changes in the last 35 years.  That's not possible , is it, Rob?   

LOL!  It is a small world and it's good to reconnect with someone of the distant past.   

In retrospect I think she may have cheated by looking at my name badge