Most of us have recollections, from our childhood, of that first day at school, entering a cafeteria alone. Where will I sit? With whom? I found myself in exactly that circumstance only three weeks ago at the writers’ conference. After I chose my first meal in the large dining hall I looked for a place to eat. Despite the many people seated at the long wooden tables, I knew no one.

During my travels I’ve had numerous opportunities to speak with strangers. I have rarely found it difficult or uncomfortable to sit with someone I didn’t know, but here an awkwardness returned. Was it the school setting? If I was feeling this way, I assumed most of the others did too. I looked around, saw two women sitting across from one another, chatting. Just as I have in the past, I asked if I could join them. They nodded and I sat down. It took sometime before they included me in their conversation, but I didn’t mind. Soon we were sharing our names and tales.

In the consequent days many of the faces became familiar. Conversations were easier to begin.

There were other moments when I grappled with a familiar awkwardness.

What better way to learn something new?