Most of us don’t choose our neighbors. We come from all over with diverse heritage, different walks of life. The mashup of humanity is a base ingredient of the South Florida stew.
We love Italian restaurants, taco trucks, French bakeries, roadside barbecue, gyros, falafels, cracked conch, sweet potato pie. And the people who bring us these delicacies — and myriad others — sometimes become our friends. We break bread together, sip rum or espresso as the meal ends, share sweets before parting.
Strangers grow to know each other across a counter or table — relationships formed by nothing more than a simple, shared experience.
Inside this edition of The Coastal Star are several examples of strangers forging friendships out of a chance encounter, a conversation, a helping hand.
It’s challenging to start conversations with random people, but worth the effort. As these stories illustrate, the end result can lead to savory (or sweet) experiences, to unforeseen good deeds.
As the sun rises on 2023, we all might gain from finding more ease with strangers — even our neighbors! Ask questions. Make eye contact. Smile. At all times, keep in mind everyone’s just doing the best they can with what they were given. Be kind.
Unexpected friendships add flavor to the mashup of South Florida. Savor them.
Happy New Year!
— Mary Kate Leming, Editor
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