New Friends

It isn’t often that you meet someone who fits entirely into your idea of a truly wholesome and worthy person. I think I could count on the fingers of one hand the few people who have made a significant impression upon me and who, despite distance, time and personal change I still consider my nearest and dearest of friends.

Recently, one more digit was counted. I am onto thumbs now.

It was whilst I was sweltering away trying to dig post holes in the baking sun with a spade and a spike. The earth was dense, hard and extremely difficult. I got through about ten of the thirty I needed when I decided it was time to find an alternative route. What I needed was a post hole auger. A petrol powered behemoth with a corkscrew on it. I heard that there was a guy in Pura Jungla who may have one so I got his number and sent a text.

I had never met the guy, didn’t have a clue as to what kind of bloke he was. But I have learnt that if you are open and honest great things can happen. So in my usual friendly style I asked if he may want to do a swap of post auger for my chainsaw for a while.

The response was just amazing. Straight away, no questions, no excuses he responded and told me that he would be most willing. A time was arranged to meet and swap the goods and meet and greet.

I will keep his name anonymous, but those who know will know, and those who don’t, it won’t matter.

Greg had bought two plots a while ago in the same Pura Jungla. On one of them he had already done huge amounts of works. laid pipework for water, run his electricity cables underground, and done a lot of levelling of the area where his house was to be. When I met him I was immediately struck by his relaxed and easygoing demeanour. He was, immediately, a guy I liked being around. I think we both realised that we were similar in many ways, it was just that I was like the age of his dad!

We chewed the fat for a while and eventually I left with a post hole auger and he with a chainsaw.

You can always tell when you like someone, you tend to reach out more often, visit, sit and chat. We did a lot of that. He was doing all his work on his own, which I thought was a bit of a lot to chew. I offered my help, mixing concrete, marking out his plot. Really it was just that I had nothing better to do, my permission hadn’t come through, but mostly that I just liked being around him and helping in any way I could. A mutually beneficial relationship in that I was sure that when I needed help he would have been there at a drop of a hat.

It wasn’t till a few weeks later when I felt like I had kindred spirit on the ranch that things took a turn. Not for the worst, just a turn. Greg had gone back to the States with his young family to visit family and get some well deserved R&R. I got a call from him. I knew he had something to say right away, but I let him talk. He and his wife had decided to cut their losses and return to the States. I understood right off the bat. Life here isn’t easy at the best of times, but with a young five year old it had to be extremely difficult. Back in the States they had their friends, their family and a network of people with kids. Here in Costa Rica many people have either done with the kids thing, or they just don’t have any. Older expats prevail here. A young family will always find it difficult here. So I completely understood. But, as I said to him, selfishly, I was sad he was going, but realistically, I completely understood.

He has left now, and there is a big hole where he once was. But that hole is only a plane flight away. I have never been to Washington State before. He’s bought a ranch up there and we will definitely be visiting often in the future.

The reason for this post is twofold.

Firstly, life has taught me that true and good friends are hard to come by. Like I said, ten digits is more than enough to count those who matter in a lifetime. Greg is one I will hold dear.

Secondly, it is only through being open, humble, and friendly that great things happen. I have proved it to myself many times and will continue to embrace each new friend, thing, opportunity that crosses my path. It is easy to miss them whilst looking another way.

Pura Vida for sure.