I love your blog and the opportunities you create to reminisce and share. My dad grew up in Phila. (Strawberry Mansion days) and many cousins went to Girls’ High (the boys to Central).
Two stories come to mind…I attended elementary school in a very small town outside Harrisburg, PA 1950s (1 mile long Paxtang). At a recent meeting in Providence, RI a colleague asked “Has anyone been in touch with kids from elementary school days?” While driving back to CT (my home now), I pondered “Who would that be if I did contact someone?” Sure enough, a name came to mind, Christine Waltman.” That was over 60 years ago. I arrived home, listened to voicemail messages and one said “My name is Christine Waltman Seiler and I’m trying to find my friend who went to Paxtang Elementary School in the 1950’s…flash forward…her best friend lives in CT and we all met for a 4 hour lunch 2 months later.
Five years ago I drove to PA to attend our 50th HS Reunion at the request of a HS pal I knew well at that time but not in the 55 years since. She wrote me a personal note to please come and I felt obligated to attend as she also was on the planning committee.
I checked into a hotel, attended a Class of ’63 girls only pre party which was great fun, found my way to the reunion site a few hrs. later, and within minutes reunited with teammates from field hockey and basketball, classes, clubs; the evening flew by. Many of us stayed at the same hotel and the next morning an impromptu mini reunion spontaneously emerged in the lobby over breakfast. Classmates called others who lived locally and it was a magical morning that extended well into the afternoon. Since then,due to some business travel, mini reunions have taken place in Dallas, Houston, Baltimore, Boston and another in Orlando, Jan. ’19 We never know what’s around the corner…Carpe Diem!
Carpe Diem, Indeed, Joyce. So many good things lined up to connect you with your history. Almost seems planned, doesn’t it? Your skills as a writer brought your post to life. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for these great memories, Joyce. Trying hard to carpe every diem!