Out of the Comfort Zone

Howdy, Neighbor. People have been telling Phil he’s a good storyteller for a long time… so we are trying something new and pretty-much non-sales Just sharing occasional sweet stories, tall tales, and life lessons learned around these parts. Northwoods Notes are a new, semi-bi-irregular peek into the heart and mind of Phil Frasier… you can read or listen… whichever you prefer… and you are receiving a copy because you’re a current customer of Frasier’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. We think you’ll like them, but you can unsubscribe any time by clicking on the link at the bottom. But we hope you give us a chance!

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The Frasier’s just held their first family reunion in decades at the Pines Event Center in Rhinelander.

There were 70 to 80 people in attendance, including a few extended family members I had never met. I was ready to strike up conversations with my aunts and uncles when my sister-in-law Lois announced, “Okay, I want everyone to sit with someone who is not your direct family and someone that you’re not always with.”

Huh? What? This family reunion was off to a rocky start.

Listen, I enjoy talking to any and every relative, but I’m most comfortable talking to those I know. Now I was being forced by my sister-in-law to step out of my comfort zone right off the bat! Talk to people I don’t know? What am I gonna say? What will we talk about?

My cousin Emily asked to sit by us. I hadn’t seen her since our kids were little. She introduced me to her husband, a police officer she met in Germany while serving in the military. Today he’s working as a cop in the Minneapolis area. I gotta admit, it was great chatting and getting to know them.

I met my niece’s boyfriend, Josh. He’s from Boston and has never been fishing before. Don’t worry… shortly after the reunion, I took Josh on his first fishing trip.

I had a great time getting to know these folks at our family reunion. And to think I would’ve missed out on these conversations had I only talked with the people I know best.

Thanks to Lois for forcing us out of our familiar familial comfort zone. And a special thanks to Bobbie for getting the ball rolling to organize this special reunion.

Neighbor, if you have extended family members that you haven’t spoken to in a long time, maybe it’s time for a quick phone call? Better yet, why not plan that much-needed family reunion.

There’s nothing like meeting your family again for the first time.

Take care, Neighbor. Take good care.

Phil Frasier.

PS – My niece’s boyfriend, Josh, caught four muskies on his first fishing trip! I think he might be hooked.