Connecting with Long-Time Friends

This baby boomer had an excellent week, mostly because I was fortunate enough to be contacted by three dear friends from Ithaca High School Class of 1969 whom I have known since the 9th grade. First, a week ago Friday I received a call from Jeff, just to catch up. Jeff and I talk periodically during the year and usually get together at least once. That didn’t happen this year for reasons I will not bore you with but it will happen soon if I can arrange it.

Earlier this week, Bill called me, also to catch up. Bill and I were constant companions in high school as well. His Mom treated me (and all of his friends) like family so I spent a lot of time hanging out at his house and eating her great cooking.  I periodically treated Bill like a jerk but being a better friend than me, he put up with it. We were freshman roommates for a time in college. When I pledged a fraternity, he helped my team win the pledge class scavenger hunt by supplying us with a live turkey from his Dad’s farm. It was awesome, except when the agitated turkey pranced down the hall while leaving its …. droppings.

Shortly after I finished talking with Bill, Darrel called me. He lives in Atlanta but travels to Nashville occasionally. He was coming into town and wanted to have dinner. I agreed but insisted that he stay here at Hotel Patterson as had in the past. He did and we had a great visit. I was pleased to see how well he was doing after his knee replacement surgery this past summer.

I feel so blessed to have had friends like Jeff, Bill and Darrel in high school and, more important, to be able to call them friends 40+ years later.  Also, Jeff and Darrel in particular are encyclopedias of information about other classmates of ours whom they see or talk to occasionally.

We are all turning 60 over the next year. There is talk of having a class 6oth birthday celebration in Ithaca this summer, in between our 40th and 45th reunions. I will definitely attend if it is scheduled. If not, I will work with the guys to schedule our own micro-reunion very soon.

Bill, Jeff, and Darrel are like me, still working hard but thinking about the future. We have a lot in common, still.

If you ever have an opportunity to reconnect (and I don’t mean just on Facebook or at reunions) with folks who meant a lot to you in your formative years, seize it. I don’t think you will regret it.

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