November 24, 2011..

The Most Memorable Thanksgiving..

　It was late Fall in New England, Boston to be exact. The scenery? captivating that time of year, what with the mosaic leaves on the trees making their transition..the greens, mixed with the yellows, browns, golds, and reds.. most picturesque. That, coupled with the quaint small towns, centuries old architecture, rotary turnabouts and the area being plum full of historical significance.. Shoot, it wasn’t hard to fall in love with the place and I wasn’t surprised I did. But, something happened in New England about 40-years to the day on Thanksgiving day and THAT surprised me… and, ..ah, listen… can we talk?

Since today is the day that it is.. I figure the least I can do is to tell you about MY most memorable “turkey day” ever. As the memory starts to emerge, it’s pleasant and makes me feel “warm” inside. So to me that means it’s got to be “sharing” time. I DO that sometimes.. share stuff with complete strangers—like yourself. Because if YOU’RE reading this—someone else may enjoy hearing about it also. You know how you go through stuff and memories just “jump out at you?” That’s what THIS is—stuff that leaves a smile on your face because it’s actually “etched” in your heart. Because on this day –40-years ago, I fell in love for the first time.

My self and a couple of buddies had just recently made the 26-hundred mile trek from Los Angeles and I, for one..was really “feeling” the place, you know? I was also “feeling” a new person I had met. Now just wait a second..don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean “feeling” in an unsuitable manner (Ha!). I mean the other way, an unusual (for me) situation.. as in a “comfortable” relationship with a young lady–type of “feeling.”

She was my Aunt & Uncle’s babysitter, who I met while visiting the family the previous month. Just 18 years old, having recently graduated from high school, things just seemed somehow “different” with her. You have to understand: “different” for me, from, “Hi–how you doing? ..well, gotta run..see ya!” That’s pretty much how it went the last few years of college.. playing sports in school and with musical activities on the side, I was TOO busy. So, you bet this was surprising, this “different” feeling I had with this person. No question, there was definitely a “warmness” associated with her, something previously inexperienced by a person like myself who really never took time to take a peek at such matters of the heart. But now? Why not? ..she had all the desired attributes: gorgeous, intelligent and personable; a Freshman at nearby Simmons College. I mean what was there NOT to like? She was upbeat and uniquely cheerful. A real person.