Eight months ago, while traveling from Rome to Amsterdam, we sat three across on a KLM plane. Next to Lorraine and me sat a man from Kenya in a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and a tie. We were all making connections - he to Nairobi and we to Kennedy Airport.

Soon we were engaged in a three-way conversation. His English was stilted but easy to understand. He was curious about America and he had a definite intellectual bent. He is a college-educated teacher and we got on the subject of literature. Naturally, I showed him some of my articles. He seemed to sincerely enjoy them so I gave him a few. We parted cordially and we exchanged e-mail addresses. Honestly, I never expected to hear from him.

Last week I received the following e-mail from him. I hope this will be the beginning of a new friendship.

Mr. Stanley,

I hope you do remember me! We were on the same plane from Rome to Amsterdam and talked quite a lot. Your wife Lorraine sat between us in the plane. You gave me some of your articles in the plane and I read them.

Since my Rome journey, I am now settled in my hometown in Kitale, Kenya and teaching mathematics in a secondary school. Apart from the terrible effects of a disputed presidential election in Kenya, the country is still not very stable. I am sure you've read Kenya's volatile situation or perhaps watched them on TV. We pray God help.

I have kept reading your articles "Over 60 ... And Getting Younger" series and really, I do enjoy them. I wonder if you could send some to me directly to my e-mail address.

I am now enrolled for master's program in the local university pursuing master's in education psychology.

Greet your family and greet your beautiful wife Lorraine. Waiting to hear from you.

Joseph

Dear Joseph,

May I call you Joseph, as we are old friends? I have ascertained that it is best to converse over the Internet. I write for a newspaper called the Syosset-Jericho Tribune. I have written over 500 columns. They are entitled "Over 60 And Getting Younger."

Method for getting my columns:

1) Google or Search - Syosset-Jericho Tribune

2) Category - (Opinion)

3) Click on "Over 60 And Getting Younger." (500 columns will appear) Take your choice.

4) Give me feedback after you have read some of the articles.

By the way, which articles did I give you on the flight?

Lorraine and I have been thinking of you, when reading the news in Kenya. We hope you and your family are well.

We enjoy hearing from you.

Lorraine and Stanley Greenberg

P.S.

I will keep my readers informed of any future communications.