It’s funny how things transpire when you stop and talk to people.

I had stopped at Walgreen’s last week to pick up a prescription and, upon returning to my car, I noticed the license plate, JHAWKS, on the car beside mine. After taking a seat behind the wheel, I noticed that the man in the neighboring car was exiting his, so I jumped out and asked him about the plate.

I told him about my nephew playing baseball for the University of Kansas (the Jayhawks) and he asked me where my nephew was from (Grand Island, Nebraska) and I said that my wife and I had been out to KU in May to watch Casey play. Then he sprung the big question … “Come on, let’s hear it … recite the KU cheer.” Well, I froze and started laughing … The man, a KU alumni, tried to prompt me but I still couldn’t do it. (For the record, the cheer is “Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, KU” – the cadence and history is too complicated to explain here.)

After a few more bits of conversation, we went our own way.

But I had forgotten to introduce myself or get his name.

I contacted my brother-in-law (Casey’s dad) about the encounter and he laughed. My son-in-law said he thought he had seen the license plate around town, so that’s when I went looking for it the next day.

Lo and behold, I spotted him going in the opposite direction a day or two later. I turned around and followed him ... to Walgreens!

“I’m not stalking you, please believe me, but I just wanted to introduce myself to you,” I said from my car as he was walking to the store.

“Are you related to the Burnhams in town,” he asked. “A brother who brokers boats?”

“Yes, brother Bruce.”

“He’s trying to sell my boat, the Jayhawker,” said the man (He gave me his name but I prefer not to identify my newfound acquaintance since I never told him I was going to write about our meeting.)

My brother confirmed the man’s identity and I have filed this one away in the small world department.

Have a great week and enjoy your small world moments!