Newspaper Time Turned Friendship Time
Newspaper time is sacred to me. Every morning, like clockwork, I begin my day with coffee and a “stack” of digital newspapers—The Wall Street Journal, The NY Times, and a few others. It’s my time. My refuge. The moment when the world slows down and I lose myself in the rhythm of the news. Honestly, I’d prefer not to socialize or do anything else during this precious ritual.
A few weeks ago, I was attending a three-day seminar and stopped for breakfast on my way. Nothing fancy—just a classic New Jersey bagel shop. I ordered my usual, found a quiet corner, and cracked open my iPad to read the papers. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an older woman sitting alone in the corner. She held a small dog on her lap, stroking it gently while picking at her breakfast. It was an unusual sight, a dog in a bagel shop. But I thought nothing more of it and went back to my reading.
The next morning, I returned to the same shop, sat in the same seat, and prepared for another peaceful morning. But this time, something about the woman caught my attention. Normally, I would stay laser-focused on my papers, but my curiosity overpowered my routine.
For those who know me, this won’t come as a surprise. Outside of newspaper time, I’m the guy who loves to talk to everyone. I’m “that guy” on the plane—the one you put your headphones on to avoid. I’m the guy who strikes up conversations in elevators while everyone else stares at their feet. On this random Wednesday, I decided to be “that guy” during newspaper time.
I smiled and broke the silence. “What’s her name?” I asked, nodding toward the small dog nestled on her lap. The woman looked up, clearly startled but also a little relieved. “Oh, this is Katie,” she said with a warm smile. “And I’m Marlene.” With that simple question, I unknowingly opened a door to Marlene’s world.
Marlene moved to Lambertville, NJ, from Staten Island in 1978. On December 11, 2020, she lost her husband. Just a month later, her dog passed away unexpectedly. “Within about a month, I lost both my husband and my dog,” she shared, her voice trembling. “I was so lonely.”
About a year later, Katie came into her life. She had been rescued from Texas, packed onto a truck with dozens of other dogs desperate for a second chance. For Marlene, Katie wasn’t just a companion, she was her lifeline.
Marlene told me she comes to the bagel shop every day for breakfast. “Me and Katie, we know everyone who comes and goes,” she said with pride. But that day, it wasn’t enough to know faces or exchange pleasantries. Marlene needed someone to really see her, to care about her story. And all it took was one question—just three words—to make her feel connected again.
One of the core principles of The Life is Too Short Guy is you Can’t Make It Alone. We live in a world that’s more connected than ever, yet somehow more isolated. Phones and tablets give us a “safe place” to hide, but they also build invisible walls that keep us from truly connecting.
As loneliness continues to rise across the country, it’s easy to forget how powerful it can be to simply see someone. To acknowledge their presence. To listen to their story. Deep down, we all have stories we’re dying to share, but we rarely spend time learning the stories of others.
That morning, I didn’t read my newspapers. Instead, I made a new friend. For thirty minutes, I gave Marlene someone to talk to. But the truth is, I think she gave me more. She reminded me how easy it can be to brighten someone’s day and how meaningful those moments of connection can be for both people.
This week, I challenge you: be the person who asks, “What’s her name?” Go out and make a new friend. Or reach out to an old friend who might need someone to listen to. You might be surprised by how much it matters.
Studies consistently show that the strength of your social network is the single most important predictor of long-term happiness and health. Relationships matter. People matter. Take the time to make those connections, they are what make life rich and full of meaning.
Next week, I’m heading back to Lambertville. I’ll swing by that same bagel shop, and this time, newspaper time will be friendship time. I hope Marlene and Katie are there, ready to share another story.
Life is too short not to say hello.
Regards,
Scott