My mother makes friends wherever she goes. And they stay friends. One example: We took a vacation to Kauai decades ago. We are rushing back to the airport and stop at a McDonalds to grab some food before the long flight. My mom sees an older man sitting by himself drinking a coffee. She introduces herself, makes small talk, they laugh, and I am getting nervous because we do not have much time to get to the airport. I interrupt them and she says "Wayne before I go back to Virginia, can I get your address and we can stay in touch?" And this is how my mother became friends with Police Captain Wayne Tanaka (retired) for years and years until he passed away. They would write letters, send emails, and chat on the phone. He would tell her stories about crazy shootouts and the infamous Taylor Camp hippies on Kauai in the 70s. She would tell him stories of Virginia and her poorly behaved children. And the thing is, she makes friends like this all the time. In an elevator. At the market. Anywhere. My "Uncle Dave" Farrelly was a cowboy out in California. He was originally from Woodstock VT, the town where I was born. He knew everything you ever wanted to know about a firearm, from historical to modern day. He advised my on my first handgun. He wasn't kin to me, he was just a penpal that my mother wrote to. Eventually I started exchanging letters with him as well. When I got married he gave my wife Laila one of the most thoughtful gifts we ever received. It was a toolbox with a bunch of tools, all engraved with the name "Laila". He wrote her a letter to my new bride and said "now that you are getting married, you will see that your husband will never put his tools away properly, and when you need one you won't be able to find it. So I made a toolbox just for you and engraved them with your name so Adam can't steal them." The little tape measurer from that toolbox now sits in my desk drawer. I did steal it. In fact I stole them all. But that is not the point. The point is, I had a friend and mentor that came into my life through a chance interaction with my mom, who is an expert at collecting friends. And its not just making friends. She excels at keeping in touch with them. I know people are suffering from loneliness today. The screens are keeping us from each other. But if you take my mom's example, you will never suffer from loneliness. Take the opportunity to smile and make a joke in the elevator. Introduce yourself to the guy who does your car inspection at the gas station. Get to know them. Stay in touch. There are so many amazing people out there.