More of the Ache

Just when I thought I'd dealt with it and was doing better .....

The rival high school holds their 50th reunion.

My grade and middle schools were split 50/50 between attending my beloved high school and the hated rival.

So I knew a lot of those 'kids.'

Including my 8th grade crush .... who a few years ago offered to drive me home, post colonoscopy, if my niece was unable to be there. 

And the guy who once gave me a 1962 Topps baseball card ..... Maris hitting #61.

And the guy who was present to insure I didn't do anything crazy when my ex-wife picked up her remaining belongings.

And my nearly lifelong best buddy.

Four old friends and more.

There were photos with memories and I felt the ache and burn of nostalgia again.

Will it ever end?

Seen daily on my drive to and from work. Or at least on the days I don't take an alternate route due to better post-work food options. I once told a friend I had a nightmare that I was in a head-on collision on this rural road. She made me promise not to drive that road again. A promise I kept for two or three years until we had a falling out. I was also once convinced I saw a ghost crossing this road on foot, late one dark stormy night. I've since decided that it was the right angle, the right lighting and shadows of tree limbs being blown about by the wind that caused the ghostly image. There's a lot of personal history on this path.