April 23, 2008
I lived at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona for six wonderful years starting in 1994 and ending in 2000. My husband, Rob, was Superintendent of this immense canyon. We met and hosted many, many interesting people over the years ranging from Presidents and Senators, to friends and family and the occasional “plain old stranger”. Sometime during September 1998, I volunteered one day to assist with an Elder Hostel group that was visiting the Canyon and learning of its wonders. I was introduced to Camille Hoheb, D-Anne Perry and Carol Hood. I guess they fit into the “plain old strangers” category although being with Elder Hostel advanced their rank somewhat. Well, as often happened, we arranged to meet that evening for a few drinks…kind of “ladies night out with plain old strangers” type of event. Well, that night we all left the “plain old strangers” description behind and traded the term in for “plain old friends”. We did what new friends do…traded home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. We told enough stories that we,Elvira(farright-whiteshirt)%26others%40Epcot2001.jpg)
came to know one another better. Well, trading stories and addresses created a friendship between myself and Camille – a friendship that has lasted to the present. I corresponded with Camille and kept track of the others through her. As fortune would have it we had the opportunity to have a one-year reunion in Florida that centered around a wedding that I was invited to. We visited Epcot Center, Cape Canaveral and also caught up with events going on in our lives over a few evening drinks. We parted again as friends as we left Florida. It takes effort to continue a friendship and build upon it. Both Camille and I put that effort into it. We were lucky to see one another when she visited Green Valley, Arizona about 25 miles south of our retirement home in Tucson. Our friendship continues because we both work at it. It seems to me some of the most enduring friendships sometimes start strangely with “plain old strangers” and over time, with some effort the relationship changes to a very, very special one between “plain old friends.” It has made my life richer and I look forward to much more with my friend Camille.
I lived at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona for six wonderful years starting in 1994 and ending in 2000. My husband, Rob, was Superintendent of this immense canyon. We met and hosted many, many interesting people over the years ranging from Presidents and Senators, to friends and family and the occasional “plain old stranger”. Sometime during September 1998, I volunteered one day to assist with an Elder Hostel group that was visiting the Canyon and learning of its wonders. I was introduced to Camille Hoheb, D-Anne Perry and Carol Hood. I guess they fit into the “plain old strangers” category although being with Elder Hostel advanced their rank somewhat. Well, as often happened, we arranged to meet that evening for a few drinks…kind of “ladies night out with plain old strangers” type of event. Well, that night we all left the “plain old strangers” description behind and traded the term in for “plain old friends”. We did what new friends do…traded home addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. We told enough stories that we
,Elvira(farright-whiteshirt)%26others%40Epcot2001.jpg)
came to know one another better. Well, trading stories and addresses created a friendship between myself and Camille – a friendship that has lasted to the present. I corresponded with Camille and kept track of the others through her. As fortune would have it we had the opportunity to have a one-year reunion in Florida that centered around a wedding that I was invited to. We visited Epcot Center, Cape Canaveral and also caught up with events going on in our lives over a few evening drinks. We parted again as friends as we left Florida. It takes effort to continue a friendship and build upon it. Both Camille and I put that effort into it. We were lucky to see one another when she visited Green Valley, Arizona about 25 miles south of our retirement home in Tucson. Our friendship continues because we both work at it. It seems to me some of the most enduring friendships sometimes start strangely with “plain old strangers” and over time, with some effort the relationship changes to a very, very special one between “plain old friends.” It has made my life richer and I look forward to much more with my friend Camille. Elvira T. Arnberger
Tuscon, AZ
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