I am not sure where to start, or why exactly I am writing this.

As some know, my job will take me to different parts of the world. While it's nice to visit such places, most business travellers will say much the same thing.
"You see the airport, rental car, hotel and the place
of business you are visiting". You usually do not spend much time enjoying what is often fantastic scenery. In much the same light, you meet all types of people. You are in their lives for a very short amount of time. These people could be the airport parking lot drivers, airplane pilots, other business travelers, hotel staff, etc. They are all going about their lives, earning a living and hopefully enjoying life.

Usually, you leave their lifes as fast as you enter it. Sometimes you are nothing more than a face they pass in the airport. Other times they are people that you know by face, but not by name. In my most recent stop, which was off and on all year and then finally 7 weeks straight, I had all of that, and more.
Something happened that, in all my years of travel, has never happened. I became attached. Instead of counting down the days of travel left until I could return home, I was dreading them. Not that I did not want to be at home. Of course I did. However, it was the simple fact that being at home meant I would be missing out. Missing out on the attachment. That attachment would be in the form of 4 terrific and special people that I met there. They know who they are - though they will never read this. And that's ok. They are four people who helped make travelling that less painful. Actually, they not only made it less painful, but they made it enjoyable. They became my friends. Yes - I know you have lots of friends, including all those at home. That much is very true. However, I can see my friends at home "anytime I want". These - I may never see again. They work at the bar in the hotel I stayed at.

It's amazing that 4 people can grow on you so quickly, but if you knew them, you would surely agree.
They may quickly forget me, as they continue to meet new people every week. Just as I was supposed to flow into and out of their lives and them from mine, others will do the same in front of them as they continue to work. But for me, I spent too many hours hanging out with them, enjoying their company.

Maybe I learned a lesson - to not let yourself get attached to new friends while on the road. It had never happened before. However, for the emptyness I feel now, it was still worth every moment. Memories filed away where I hope to never forget, where I know I won't forget.

Again...they will never read this. But I wanted to thank you all...

"Strike 3"...