ReUnions of a sort

My 50th High School ReUnion was my first high school reunion. I went for several reasons: 1) I didn't think I would make my 100th reunion; 2) nobody else would be alive even if I were and so I would be talking to myself; that is, I would be talking to myself more; 3) I wouldn't know my way around the area as I still do now as I suspect that there will be a lot of changes in the next 50 years, with Global Warming and all that: Chagrin Falls Ohio having a resort seashore beach and ticky-tacky amusement parks ala Atlantic City NJ. However, one of the most powerful reasons for me to go, family. Pictured are the three cousins, born within a month of one another (July & August) 1942. That must have been some 1941 Thanksgiving get-together! Secrets, now buried with the dead as they should be. We children tend not to think of our parents as sexual beings. Bob, Susan and Richard. Growing up together more or less within close proximity.

The reunion of high school and family came about because Susan graduated with me from Orange High School. Susan lives in Manhattan, NY, near Union Square and has come to dance in her 40's and she pursues this passion full time. She has a limited budget and was brought to Ohio by Teresa Champion, who lives in Reno Nevada and she drove from Reno to NYC, pick up Susan and they drove to Ohio. Susan stayed in Ohio with Gretchen, also in our class, who was gracious enough to accomodate. I stayed with Bob and Kathy.

The description of setting and circumstances does not address what was a heart felt re-connection amoungst the three of us. I drove Susan to many of the activities and we had our chances to talk. The highlight of the entire experience for me was our Saturday afternoon; 5 hours in Bob's back yard, warm and comfortable weather and clear skies. We talked and remininsced and told each other what we knew of our Grand Parents and their early pre-America life in Czechoslovakia, Grandma Marie brought into a rich family and taught to be a cook after her 9 other family members died of "consuption", ie, tuberculosis. There are other tales and collective experiences shared. Towards, the end of the afternoon, this picture was taken by Kathy, with Susan's camera, and here we are.