1
0
Typing here now at my familiar Starbucks in the center of Bernardsville, New Jersey my former hometown for 23 years.
Feels good, and satisfying, to be back reliving a life of long ago when I raised my three kids here.
This was their home. This was our home.
Bernardsville is a town of some 6,000 people. Quaint, simple, sophisticated, smart and hardworking people are everywhere. There’s a classic Little League Park with a home run fence. Among my fondest memories of living here were the annual Little League Opening Day Parades with all the little kids in hats and their jerseys hopeful of what was to come at the Little League Park which had a home run fence and a robust snack shack full of popsicles, hot dogs, pretzels, and Gatorades of various flavors. Also great was the local swimming pool where I would watch my two girls participate in meets on Saturday mornings. It’s hard to express how much fun those swimming meets were. Absolutely gorgeous setting, with green and blue colors all around.
This was – and still is – small-town Americana. My father would visit and say “This is a great place for kids to grow up.”
He said this in the context of where he had raised his kids, in Bethesda, Maryland, which became a cosmopolitan, crowded city of its own bordering the mixture of ideas and people from all over the world in Washington, D.C.
Bethesda, as nice as it was, was not Bernardsville. This place is small, intimate, and easily navigated.
When I left here seven years ago it was in a rush. There was nothing settled about it. I was moving away to find a new job in North Carolina and the clock was ticking.
Now is so much different, and I am so grateful for that. I have a job that I like and I reside in a nice town called Davidson near Charlotte. There was some darkness when I left that has lifted. Life feels brighter in every way.
Last night I went to dinner with college friends in New York City, and the night before with my kids also in the Big Apple. Can’t recall enjoying being in the city more than I have the past two nights. It’s never been easy for me to feel comfortable in New York City, but it was actually fun and exciting this time. I think that has to do with what’s going on in your life. You can have more fun when you’re more settled.
Tonight this Northeast adventure rocks near Secaucus, New Jersey for a party with college friends. Still getting together 40 years after we graduated from Wake Forest. Still cracking jokes, grooving to music, deepening friendships, talking about our kids getting married and grandkids.
I’m especially excited to see one college bud who will be there who I don’t see often enough. His name is Sillie Willie. On one of my first days at Wake, I was at the Oak Cooler Bar and there he was, right behind me, grinning in a mischievous way.
I knew then I had to get to know that guy. So I did. He became one of my best friends in the world. He’s funny, charismatic, full of character and substance. When I’m with him life just seems better, more fun, more amusing.
Tonight is the last night before I start my trek back down South. It will be the crescendo to what has been a joyful ride through the Northeast — the place of my past.
Author Profile
-
Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
Sammy Sportface Has a Vision -- Check It Out
Sammy Sportface -- The Baby Boomer Brotherhood Blog -- Facebook Page
Latest entries
BonusApril 30, 2024Madonna, Travolta, Napoleon Dynamite To Breakdance at Olympics
BonusApril 29, 2024Boil the Ocean – Let’s Take That Offline
BonusApril 28, 2024Tribute to My Mentor: Mel
BonusApril 26, 2024Spiderman Favored to Win Golds At Olympics Climbing Events