There are places I’ll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
Dear Hal,
You would have loved the drive to Columbus. Loved it.—-maybe even have taken some notes! Between the parents and myself, we repaved Bayard Road one house at a time. Sharing commentary we stirred memories long dormant. It was an oral history for the ages—an epic trip.
Touched on everyone. Those we still see, those we just speak with, and others, frankly— unheard of for years…so obscure that even THEY wouldn’t friend us on Facebook.
And of course, there were the usual suspects….
Al and Fran Davidson. The Wolf family. Did you know that Chuckie Mulberg was an only child? “Oh, how they doted on him!”
Cal Luxenberg, Stuart Fenton. Two murders on the street in recent years.
From their end: the Gross family across the street to Jimmy Polster (next door). The Markowitzs. Normie Katz (same wife twice).
Everyone, you should know, was referenced one of four ways: either they were the same grade as Linda and me, the same age as the twins, your class with Leslie, or…they, as Mrs. S would say: “… Weren’t as old—and only knew our youngest girl…” One way or another though, clearly if you graduated Brush between ’67 and ’74 you got a shout out.
Fred Kantor. The Graynoms. The Neugers.
Randy Nehamkin. The Walters (with multiple mention of Elaine), and the Simmersons (Make mine “Dud”).
Some were only referenced generically—like the Italian lady in the brick house next to Wolf. She was a seamstress (which I knew), but who knew her husband drank? (I didn’t).
Oh, we strayed a bit….to Stonehaven. Sam Galun and his kids. Jerry Payner—even points further south. Heck, trying to hold my own I opined that the two best streets were always Bayard and Stilmore. No one disagreed, which tended to validate me. And so….we talked Stilmore! Les Rosenberg, Ron Pollack. The Herzogs. (Sharing a moment or two of silence, we recalled that Sunday morning just a year ago…dining—all of us—at Menorah Park…. Now Mom’s gone, Gloria’s gone….did I tell you they remembered Mom’s hearing aid)?
It was a virtual video of my Bar Mitzvah. Gail and Susie K. What a nice guy their father was! (I’d forgotten that Gail was married early on—to Cary from …across the street). There were thrills—that we stlll had contact with Amy K, and disappointment (mine)—that they couldn’t remember Bad Neck Harvey walking his little poodle. Or Bernie Pleskoff.
Oh, a bit more. I was surprised they knew the Gelfands. Don’t know why—always perceived Harvey and Delores as somewhat isolated. But they knew them! Mrs. recalled each, specifically reminding that “He gave up his pharmacies to teach…”
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all
You’d have thought we’d touched all bases on our way down. Not so, BayardBreath! Returning Sunday, heading west on Cedar… in field goal range…..there was an ambulance up ahead past Green. In a hurry for rehearsal, I shot right and north toward Greenview.
Turning left onto Bayard I sighed: “Ah, home sweet home.”
Descended the hill, pointed out Wieder’s house—then caught the light.
It turned green and we were in the final approach. Rowland on the left, 4249 on the right. Then, as we passed Matejka’s, my favorite passenger, the lady in the back seat leaned forward and grinned. With a twinkle in her eye she noted: “You know, we never talked about Wilmington.”
Laughing, we emptied the trunk, bid adieu and parted. As I hit Cedar Road my smile remained…but the past was in the past….for now.
I wish you’d have been there, H. You’d have loved it, savored it. Next time!
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life, I’ll love you more
Love, bb