The Mini-Reunion

"What is life but foolish desires and imperfect choices."
-Bette Bao Lord
"Spring Moon"

PHOTO: Cyndy Whitmore-Davis, Michael J Armijo, Julie Roth at our mini-reunion dinner on February 20, 2009. Photo taken by Alan N. Freiman.

During the summer of 1970 my parents, two brothers and I moved away from '1447 16th Avenue' in Oakland, CA to '356 Magnolia Drive' in Alameda, CA. The first night of adjustment in our new home is easily remembered. My little brother, Johnny, asked the key question at only 7 years old.
"Mom when are we going home?" Johnny asked.
I laughed.
"We are home," mom said with a smile.

September 1970 approached and it was the beginning of 6th grade at Lincoln middle school. I didn't know any classmates and it was a public school. Besides kindergarten I had known only St. Anthony's Catholic School. My uniform days of gray pants, white shirt and maroon sweater were at an end. The freedom of 'free dress' was something I enjoyed, offering me free expression (even if bell bottoms seemed to be the fad of the times).

When I received my class picture for Barnard C. Livermore's 6th grade class I memorized the names of everyone in my class. I'm sure I had a crush on every girl in the class at some time or another. Two girls in the class were Cyndy Whitmore and Julie Roth. They'd been pals since 4th grade. Last night, I arranged a mini-reunion dinner. I hadn't seen Cyndy since the 10 year reunion. I met Julie for lunch in San Francisco sometime in the mid 1980's. It was a fun-filled evening of reminiscing, 'catching up', wine, dinner and spirits.

Twenty-five years ago today:

February 21, 1984
I called Chris Cordellos twice while at work. He is beginning to mean more to me now. I can't quite put my finger on the exact reason besides our mutual attraction.
I suggested to Chris the idea of seeing the new Nastassja Kinski flick on Thursday night. Paloma has not called me. We were supposed to see it together. I don't know?
Helen invited me to dinner but I had to decline. My layout and design was scheduled for tonight. I stopped for a nibble of a BBQ chicken dinner with my dad before I left for class. I am happy I did not play "hooky". It was a rewarding evening of creative learning. The California College of Arts & Crafts is a good school.
www.cca.edu/

John rented the film "Deliverance". I thought it was a dumb choice. I didn't like it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9R4t_Nwy5E
Sherri watched it, too. She gave me a bite of her pineapple-cherry missile popsicle stick. Yummy.

I called Chris just before bedtime. He is at such an indecisive point in his life. 'Should I move to Arcata, CA?' is his key question. He has made hints that he is leery of leaving me, knowing that distance always makes the heart grow fonder. But it can also make the heart forget (especially if someone more intriguing enters the picture). What am I writing here? Whatever Chris decides to do will be the right choice for him. I trust we shall always be friends. This reminds me that I want to try that restaurant in Walnut Creek called "Let's Be Friends".