Friends

I had forgotten how green Pennsylvania is. Driving through its narrow roads and highways the heavy foliage on either side gives the appearance that the roads are smaller than in FL. They may be. But having thick bushes and huge trees make them appear much smaller. It's a beautiful state, especially as you leave the city.

Speaking of size, every time I come back to PA I make it a point to always visit the neighborhood I grew up in. Everything seems so much smaller. Did it shrink or did I grow out of it? The streets and alleys seem narrower, the sidewalks are smaller.

Another thought: what evidence is there of the events that took place on these streets and alleys so many years ago? You can look up local government records that show we owned a home in this neighborhood for 13 years. But you won't find an official record of an 11 year old boy sledding in front of a neighbor's house on a cold, snowy evening as a cute little girl watched him from the warmth of the inside of her house (i knew she was watching). A little later she's allowed to come out for a while. As we sit on the porch discreetly holding hands the short, innocent kiss that followed warmed up the entire neighborhood.

Official records also won't show the hot summer nights we endured as we awkwardly made our way through adolescence. The neighborhood is lined with row homes on both sides of the street. Living so close to our friends forced us to get to know each other very well. No official document exists detailing the long bike rides, heated arguments and fights, the Y fair, Crossing the Delaware, Hide and Seek using a 15 block radius, Going On A Treasure Hunt (x marks the spot), lazy summer days reading Vince's comic collection, step ball and The Game (don't ask).

There's a great line in the movie Stand By Me that says "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Does anyone?" Ed, Bob,Vince, Cathy, Debbie, Suzy, Julie, JP are names and faces that I will never forget as long as I live.

Orson Wells had it right in Citizen Kane. After all his fame and fortune, at the end of his life it all came down to one word: Rosebud.

This post is dedicated the memories of Bob and Ed.
May they rest in peace. We will never forget you.