It's that time again.....Time to turn my thoughts to the "kids" of 1970 (and I know some of you are thinking that it is time for you to turn off your PC screen). If you are still here, I welcome you into my thoughts over the past week. Actually, I have been having thoughts of ya'll more frequently thanks to the "dialogue" established by your replies to my rambling "stories". I must admit that these "sentimental journeys" I have been making each week for the past couple of months have caused me to "wish" that we all could have remained "closer" over the years. But I know the individual "trips" through life taken by each member of the Class of '70 have left meaningful impressions on a much broader community of family and friends and for that I am thankful.
Paul Burton told me this week that he is hopeful that those at the reunion will be kind to "the ones in our Class who are showing the wear and tear" of the past thirty years. (Paul is referring to me since he revealed that he had looked up my bank's website and saw a picture of me. Remember Paul that the computer screen "adds" a few pounds.) He even dogmatically intimated that the scotch and "other vices" may have taken their toll on me over the years. Well, Paul, I only drink to make other people interesting (Groucho Marx gets credit for that quip).
Diane Madison Lumpkin also expressed a "little" concern about my imbibing too much as I reminisce via the keyboard. I really appreciate the concern, but the scotch helps me "fill in the blanks" on those memories where everything is not all that clear. Diane has been busy preparing for the Easter musical at her church this year which she is directing. I wonder how others from our Class are impacting lives around them in their present surroundings such as this. Such thoughts light me up with pride. Don't forget Kathy Foley McKee who is sitting for her Counseling License exam today (it's tax day as well - two dammits). Wish her well. By the way, she has granted my request for a "free" counseling session during the reunion.
Dinny Bullard also "wrote" me this week. He has "dusted off" his copy of the 1970 Lakeside and "stumbled down" memory lane. We "talked" about music and our mutual admiration for Bob Dylan. Dinny was picking up the Rolling Stones' HOT ROCKS CD the day we "talked" and had been enjoying the sounds of Janis Joplin recently. "We" have been exposed to some really good music in our lifetime. Today as I am "visiting" with you, I am listening to some jazz and some "British invasion" tunes (Dave Clark Five, The Zombies, Peter & Gordon, The Hollies, etc.) from the 60's on netradio.com. Good stuff! Dinny, go get that Monkee's CD and I will see you at "the hop".
Scott Baker has promised he will bring some good scotch to the reunion to help me with my memory. Scott's reminiscent visions seem to be less fuzzy than mine. This is a little scary! Will some of the rest of you clue me in on some of your memories so that I can have some balance in the haze? I know that some "down to earth" memories from some of you on a different sanity level will counteract Scott's realities. I believe these "other views" will help me cope with Scott's kaleidoscope view on our lives. Keep "writing" Scott, I love the laughter! Oh, I have reserved some "couch time" with Kathy for you at the reunion. She said we could get a group rate for her analysis. Should be a hoot!
Cherry Lou tells me that 53 is the current magic number of "mates" who plan to be at the reunion. She reminds me that there were 70 of us in attendance at the 20th Gathering of Lost Souls in 1990. I know the bottom fell out of Wall Street yesterday. Hell, I had a birthday yesterday (April 14 - Lincoln was shot; the Titanic sunk; "Houston, we have a problem," was calmly reported from Apollo 13 - you can look it up). But, it's getting better all the time! So, no excuses, we expect to see those balding or graying heads atop those wrinkled smiling faces and those expanding waist lines in Newport on June 17. And about this "age" we are reaching, Victor Hugo observed that "forty is the old age of youth while fifty is the youth of old age." Ain't it great to be young again!
Last week, I spoke to the notion that "time flies", especially when one is having fun. Dinny B. told me of two frogs talking with one another and overheard one say, "time's sure fun when you're having flies." (I think Kermit the Frog said that originally.) Anyway, about time and age - they work on us all differently. Some of us have endured some pain (or, maybe even a lot) in the past thirty years, but it has been said that time is a great healer. Honestly, though time may be a great healer, it is a lousy beautician. (Cherry Lou can possibly help some of you.) I ask you to recognize time for what it is; just the method of measuring the simple passing of each day. And with each day we usually learn something or experience something new. New and different experiences open our eyes a little wider to the world.
I can't wait to see you at the reunion so you can share these experiences of the last thirty years with me. Bring your smiles and your dancing shoes. You will be able to find me where the laughter is loudest. My final word today, "Never forget what is worth remembering or remember what is best forgotten."
Love to all. My heart is still a child, joe
No comments:
Post a Comment