A Day at the Races

I didn't go back to my home town of Port Washington for my 45th HS Reunion this past weekend because I was just in NY a couple of weeks ago for my Dad's funeral. 

But this weekend ended up being a great reunion here in SD with Casey, Zoe, Tyson, Elliot, Jake, Guerin, Jim, etc. at the See Beneath fundraiser Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at the Del Mar race track.

Instead of hanging out for a night with the kids of my youth, PJ, Wurzel, Jud, Patti, Dede, Schroeter, Marla, etc. at the Port Yacht Club, I got to enjoy these thoroughbreds: Among the Stars, Zimmer, Itz a Saint, Maybellene, Tom's Tribute, Dutch Chocolate, and Greeley Awesome.


These simultaneous happenings on opposite coasts got me thinking about my stages of life and how the people who joined me at times in my "covered wagon", bumping along my sometimes muddy, rutty road, are forever etched in my story.

I've always had a bad memory for names, so there are periods of time over the past 45 years that are very fuzzy in my gray matter. Trying to piece some of it together this morning has been another kind of reunion.

The mid 70's were my "Big Chill" years, laughing, playing, and mourning along with Sandy, Tabs, Louise, Tom, Dave T., Bones, Denby, Austin, and a amazing gang of PDS high school kids who I will never forget. They were lead by Frankie, Motts, Billy, and Bags.

During the 80's in the NW, I made life-long bonds with Brucie, Don, their Anns, Alexandra, and Gabrielle. And of course, Casey asked me to host his new life beginning in 1986.

The 90's were my main parenting years and that decade was "low-lighted" by some bad relationship/marriage choices. But 1990-1999 was filled with moments that have turned into lasting connections with some of Casey's friends and their families, including Mummy, Trevor, Marty, JJ, Jeff, Taylor, etc. GO SEAHAWKS!

The new millennia's first decade brought a change of scenery for me when I moved to the desert and beaches of SD. Along with the people I hung out with this past weekend, I made lasting bonds in that decade with Sue, Kayvon, Garrett, Robin, Moon, Bill, Tina, and Jill.

And since 2011, this has turned out to be the best decade of my life so far. I finally met the woman I always knew was out there on a parallel path. She was just flying on Planet Elley!  She has brought into my life the amazing Christian and all his great friends. And Home Depot O'side has turned out to be a surprising resource for new pals: Dave, Pam, Darlyn, Shanae, Kenzie, Marquit, and Richard.


So for a guy that used to say he didn't have a lot of friends or family, and was always known for making questionable relationship choices, the prospect for many more joyful encounters seems endless.

Here's to all of you near and far. Don't be strangers. Let's plan our next reunion!