20th Year Surprises

The dark grey motorcycle helmet sat on our entry way table as the reunion party was underway.  I couldn't for the life of me figure out who it belonged to and was quite curious. I went into a crowd of possibilities and asked, "Who drove a motorcycle here?" A long pause ensued from the group and then Carl nodded and smiled.  It was him.

I didn't know Carl well in high school. He was in my periphery…a kind spirit, caring eyes and quieter than many. When he first arrived at our 20th reunion several classmates and myself didn't recognize him and we didn't know he lived right here in town. For a few seconds, I felt sad about this-that there were people right within a few miles who I hadn't acknowledged or seen over the years. But then it just made me more grateful for this 20th gathering of class of '94.

As the DJ started the music up and the disco lights started shining on the wood ceilings,  a small group of us took to floor dancing to 90's tunes. The music brought our spirits back 20 years and I cared less about talking, reconnecting then I did about just being with my classmates. Dancing. Laughing. Being.

Half way through the evening  a song played in honor of my classmate, Tambi Fields, who passed away here in Kodiak several years ago. River of Dreams was one of her favorite songs and as the DJ played it,  we held hands, smiled, cried. Outside on the porch in the misty night, the guys and gals of our class raised their glass in a toast to Tambi.

River of Dreams-Billy Joel

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
From the mountains of faith
To the river so deep

I must be looking for something
Something sacred I lost
But the river is wide
And it's too hard to cross

And even though I know the river is wide
I walk down every evening and I stand on the shore
And try to cross to the opposite side
So I can finally find out what I've been looking for

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the valley of fear
To a river so deep

And I've been searching for something
Taken out of my soul
Something I would never lose
Something somebody stole

I don't know why I go walking at night
But now I'm tired and I don't want to walk anymore
I hope it doesn't take the rest of my life
Until I find what it is that I've been looking for

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the jungle of doubt
To a river so deep

I know I'm searching for something
Something so undefined
That it can only be seen
By the eyes of the blind

In the middle of the night

I'm not sure about a life after this
God knows I've never been a spiritual man

Baptized by the fire, I wade into the river
That runs to the promised land

In the middle of the night
I go walking in my sleep
Through the desert of truth
To the river so deep

We all end in the ocean
We all start in the streams
We're all carried along
By the river of dreams

In the middle of the night

 Billy Joel - River Of Dreams Lyrics | MetroLyrics 


Zoya

Some things will never, ever change…Boys+fire=happy!

good times reconnecting

mother daughter dancing at its BEST

Friday night group shot at Powerhouse Dinner

Cheers to class of '94