"About a month after our formal 20th reunion, I got a short note from Barbara, saying how much she enjoyed seeing everyone, and that we should get together. I wrote back, saying it was a great idea. But schedules being what they are in today's world, it never came to pass. Every time I cleaned out my old paperwork, I would save Barbara's letter, meaning to try again. Over ten years later, I finally got to it. We corresponded by email (so much faster than 10 years between letters!) and she let me know that she was meeting a small group of her friends, and invited me along. The date was set to meet in the city on September 15th 2001, but Osama had other plans for New York. A year later, we finally pulled it together with more friends, and plans for a full weekend of reunion fun. It was someting I looked forward to - it was something I really wanted to do.
When it was over, I realized it had been something I really NEEDED to do. Some of you know that I have been writing loosely autobiographical stories about growing up in Green Acres in the '50s and '60s. There was something - probably turning 50 - that made me look toward my past. And reconnecting with all of you became more and more important. That Friday was far more fulfilling than I ever could have hoped, and maybe the planning and the website is my way of saying "thank you" to all of you for helping to fill that void. I was amazed at how easy it was to become reacquainted, even after 32 years had passed. There was a sense of wamth and genuine sincerity that took me by surprise. (I must admit to being more than a little nervous before walking into Mitchell's.)
I'm sure everyone in America looks back on his childhood, wrapped in nostalgia, as a special, comforting time. But I really believe that we had an extraordinary group of friends, and lived in a time an place that held a little bit of magic.
I hope we're all smart enough to stay in touch. Waiting another ten years would be such a shame."
Steve |
