Winter:

February, 2010

Fort Lauderdale:

 

All the "snowbirds" are back,  people who escape to South Florida for a winter break.  There I was at the intersection of Las Olas Boulevard and A1A, right across from a world class place, Fort Lauderdale Beach and to my left, The Elbow Room, a two -story bar/restaurant.   This place is one of the very few that harkens back to the days of the movie "Where the Boys Are."  It's a little less rowdy (remember, we invented college Spring break)  So, I looked at the scenery, the ocean and the song "Where the Boys Are" reverberates in the juke box of my mind.  Immediately, the memories from that era race to my consciousness.  I admit since our reunion was announced, I find myself purposely thinking back, sifting through events and associations, looking for vignettes I can share with others and feel connected.  Are you doing the same? 

 

I live about a half hour drive from the beach and was there to meet friends who are vacationing for two weeks from Ohio.  Actually We were dining a little further down the strip, but I parked and walked a little way, I love the feeling of nostalgia the place brings back to me.  It's a paradox how I lost touch with my former classmates, yet they loom large and clear in my consciousness forty-five years later.  It's uncanny, I can be walking around the lake in my neighborhood, walk past the ducks and geese and ibises and often think back to the fowl around  the water's edge at Buttonwood Park.  Then I remember around this time of the year, we'd be listening for reports that the ice pond at Brooklawn Park was open to skaters  and I remember that wonderful warming house.   

 

It's time to meet my friends so I stop looking and reminiscing and quicken my step.  The conversation at dinner is lively and soon I tell them I'm attending my forty-fifty high school reunion.  Most people think it's a very special event to look forward to, very rarely does anyone bring up any possible disappointments, and then the magic words, "Oh, Maria," she says, "you don't look old enough to attend a 45th high school reunion. "  Everybody needs a friend who will say that.   Then she adds, wait a minute, my 45th reunion should be next year....Isn't it great?  We all  have so much love of life, so much going on.  We chat, have dinner, I then leave them and walk the along the promenade.  I feel so alive, I know that it's because thinking back to a time I had limitless energy makes me feel nothing's impossible, and I'm sure  you all do too.

 

I'm amazed at the variety of careers and life stories I've read in the profiles.

I can't wait to see you all.