One thing I’ve learned in life is simple: when I’m with people, say something.

Today I was enjoying my cappuccino on a sofa in Izy Coffee.  At the other end was a young man.  Another young fellow and an older man sat on chairs nearby.  They were speaking a language I didn’t know.

“What language are you speaking?”

I didn’t know if they spoke English or if they’d ignore my question.  They smiled!

“Spanish” from one of the young ones. 

And so it began …

I wanted to know about their lives and they wanted to know about mine. Perfect. Con and Juan are the sons of William, who lives in Argentina. The two boys grew up there but now Juan lives in Australia and Con in Italy. They were on a multi-month worldwide reunion.

They had spent several weeks in Marrakesh, Morocco, immersing themselves in a culture where bartering was the way to get things done.

They had spent time in Spain, the origin of their mother tongue, visiting friends and family.

Closer to me, my new friends went to Tomorrowland, the techno music festival in eastern Belgium. “We danced our asses off!” Good for them.

Last weekend, they indulged their passion for the speed and noise of Formula One racing at a track near Brussels.

And there was other stuff that I can’t remember. Wow.

The three guys were so open with me. We all laughed easily. In maybe forty minutes together, we were friends.

I told them that I was Canada’s first astronaut. When I saw wide eyes coming back at me, I swiftly added “I lied.” More smiles.

And then the moment of reveal. One by one they showed me their identical tattoos:

The Evangelistis off on an adventure. Three pointed individuals united within the circle of family. The image is so simple and so profound.

***

I grew today in the presence of three other human beings

I’m happy for all of us