Fifty Years

Earlier this year, Mark Lenahan (yes, that one) decided to attend the 49th reunion of the CSHS Class of ’74.

We had spent three years being Butch and Sundance in those hallowed halls, back in the day, and then, after the wig incident, I left for De Witt Clinton. Mark, being Mark, and a much more responsible individual, toughed it out and graduated.

Spellman in the early 70s was the shit. Tough school to get into. Tough school to graduate from. There were a couple of other elite Catholic Schools available at the time but they were all-boy schools. Enough said.

I had a great time during high school. But I was immature and wasted a great opportunity. Not sure how my parents put up with me. When I look back at the young me, I realize I was just a selfish asshole. But I did collect a few stories out of the deal.

Truth be told, I envied Mark for sticking it out. For those 49 years he was able to hold his head up and claim his rights as a Spellman alumnus. There is something to be said for finishing what you started. That was never my strong suit.

I got much better at completing my commitments after I got married, when the potential for disappointment spread beyond my immediate selfish self, to someone I cared about more than me. I managed to go back and finish University, then law school, raise three kids, complete a four decade career in law and have now completed five novels. See what you can do when you have a wife and kids to answer to. You don’t quit.

When Mark shared some photos from that alumni event it was great to see all the faces I had known from so long ago. It was timely, as FJM had just been published that spring, where a [purely] fictional version of those years is recounted. A sign from the literary gods. And all of those people looked really happy to be together. Funny thing about getting older, you learn to appreciate everything and everyone that got you there.

https://wizards.smugmug.com/CSHS-June-2023-Gathering—Brews/

To say I was surprised when I was included in a group text a few weeks later that included Mark, and Spellman classmates Danny Cahillane and Terry Hughes, is quite the understatement. It seemed that Danny and Terry were involved with the CSHS alumni association and Mark wanted to make the introduction. It was fun catching up with them. Honestly, I was surprised they remembered me.

But Danny and Terry went beyond any sense of polite bon homie when they both suggested that I should attend the big 50 reunion coming up in 2024. I reminded them that I didn’t warrant the invitation, given that I didn’t graduate with them.

Danny was very convincing when he explained that they were the alumni association and they decided who their alumni were. Then he rattled off other alumni that didn’t graduate with them but had attended alumni events.

I figured, if its okay with those that actually earned the laurel to allow me to attend, who was I to argue. And it would be fun to see everyone one more time.

As is my way, and as I had started writing WTLLM, I rewarded their kindness by making Danny and Terry characters in the final book in The Claire Saga – Where The Ley Lines Meet. Of course, I only had slots open for bad guys, so Danny – under a Gaelic pseudonym, became the Hans Gruber of WTLLM and Terry is a troublesome Airforce General who you never actually meet and who ultimately gets his comeuppance at the hands of the bad aliens. Small nod to their kindness.

Last night, again out of the blue, I got a group text that came up with numbers I didn’t recognize and the above “save the date” notice.

When I opened the group text I recognized Danny and Terry’s phone numbers, and it turns out the unknown numbers belonged to two other CSHS classmates, Pete Flanagan and Mariann Galdi. Both fine people. They are the CSHS Class of 74 Alumnae Committee.

They all confirmed that the invitation to the 50th was real. I was touched and honored. It was fun catching up with Pete and Mariann, and of course, Terry and Danny.

Even 50 years can melt away quickly if you let it.

I’ve also recently managed to reestablish contact with another Spellmanite, Ken Hart, on FB. And I always have Lenny. So, I won’t be attending the event totally cold.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in the CSHS Class of 74 next September. And I really appreciate the invite. Thanks again, Danny, Terry, Pete and Mariann.

And I promise to inscribe any and all books that are placed before me. Even if they are not mine.

Well, on a more immediate level, I have Thursday to attend to.

But first a couple of kitties to cuddle and rounds to make.

You fine, five readers get out there and wrap up the last of the heavy lifting of your work week. Let’s leave Friday for fun things like dreaming and planning the weekend.

And no matter what else we do, let’s make today a great one.