30 years ago today I lost a good friend, a lot of people did, including my younger brothers. He was a lot of fun to be around, a true friend. My first memory of him was in kindergarten. Walking home from school one day his mom had given him money to buy a Popsicle at Modern Dairy and he shared it with me. He later went to public school so we grew apart until probably 7th or 8th grade when we played a lot of baseball in the neighborhood. He wasn't that good but always seem to find a way to make a great play. So many things about him I will never forget. All the times spent playing in his upstairs. We would play a war like game using glow in the dark small rubber blow darts. Later we would use Star Trek guns that shot little disc. He had a go cart that he drove up and down the alley, speaking of the alley all the times we went sled riding down it. We would ride 2 to a sled laying on top of each of other, then have dog fights as we went down the hill. I wish I had some of those sleds back we broke to sell on ebay. Probably something we did more than anything was sleep on the front porch. We would stay up all night running around the neighborhood trying not to get in trouble. We would always walk down to Red Miller's gas station and get a yoohoo or orange crush. Many times in the morning we would go fishing. Never catching very much but always enjoying it.
Dunk and I did several grass cutting jobs together, also a lot of snow shoveling jobs. A lot of times a was let off early from the post office and I would give Dan a call and we would head to the Forum to drink and after we would go to yoagies hoagies and get a delicious 12 inch sandwich. YUMYUM We would bring it back home with us and sit on the trash pit and eat away. It seems like Dunk and I were starting to be inseparable after all the other guys started dating and we weren't.
I guess it wasn't a great friend that died but part of my youth. The part we all lose sometime or another. For me I guess the end of my innocence.
It was so nice to visit with his family when his mother died this past December. Seeing his brother David kind of gave me an idea what Dan would have looked like. It was great seeing all his brothers and sisters.
It was a cold one out there but smiley and I managed to drink a beer with Dunk. Thanks Jay for going with me and thanks Mr and Mrs Finklestien for holding the camera.
MISS YOU STILL
10 comments:
When I read your notes about Danny I always smile and cry at the same time. Friendships like that are hard to come by.
Great post sweetie. I know it must have been hard to write it, but good remembering all the fun you'd had with Dan. I never knew him, but I am sure from all you've said, and what a great lady his mother was, he truly was a wonderful person and a good friend. I am glad you and Jay got to spend a little part of your day with him.
True friends are hard to come by. He was lucky to have you too Joe!
We had a nice visit but it was terribly cold... I remember it like it was yesterday! (to be read tomorrow) I talked to rick olps earlier this evening and had a great visit down memory lane with him as well. Dunk is still talked about with great affection.
Jay had a nice time with you and the Finklestiens. Tuesdays don't rock.
Like Jer, I was smiling with tears rolling down. It's obvious how much you still miss your friend. Some people go their entire life without ever experiencing that kind of friendship. I can remember nights coming home late and having to step over everyone that was sleeping on the porch.
There are just some people in your life you dont forget-and you have Dan. Sorry that friendship was cut way too short.
Jay looks like Mickey from "Rocky".
"Cut me Mick"
suprised Mom and Dad knew how to use a digital camera...oh, and they have requested a shot of beer next time.
Did you dig up Mr Finklestein to pose with? Oh, that's Uncle Jay?! My bad. Mr Finklestein is a great Catan player, though.
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