Speaking of Nostalgia

I blew out of Larry’s house pretty early this morning for what promised to be a busy, nostalgic day. When all was said and done, it delivered. But there were a few kinks along the way. First thing this morning, Larry and I discussed a good short route to get to Kalamazoo College (otherwise known as “K College”, for those of you who are not familiar with the “Harvard of the Midwest.”) Christa and I fell in love there, graduated from “K”, and harbor some of our best memories from those days over 25 years ago. I wanted to visit the Jim Van Sweeden, who publishes the alumni magazine “Lux Esto”, about putting some excerpts of my blog in the next edition.

My day had a shaky beginning before I even arrived. Riding down Stadium Drive seemed like a good idea until it became clear that the last time it was repaved was in the 1960’s. My rearview mirror fell off right in the middle of the road after hitting a deep pothole. This may not seem like much of an issue to you, since it’s only a 1” by ½” mirror that hooks to your helmet, but when you’ve grown attached to it and rely on it like I have, it was a big deal. I dropped my bike at the side of the road and scrambled in the middle of one of the busiest streets in Kalamazoo, frantically searching for the little contraption. After dodging a few cars and trucks I located it, undamaged, and decided to finish my trip to “K” on the back streets.

Jim had left a message on my cell phone just a few minutes before I arrived. After briefly interrupting an old friend who works there, Lori Thompson I checked in with Jim. He’s a cyclist too, and could relate pretty well to my stories and escapades. Hopefully the “Lux Esto” can find some room to squeeze in some of my wittier writings (were there any, yet?) After taking the obligatory photo with Stetson Chapel in the background, I had a fruit slushie with BJ Cherup, one of my son’s buddies from Gaylord. Even though he looks a little worn and rough in the attached picture, he was doing pretty dang good for a guy facing imminent final exams. After that, it was time to buy a new tube and start heading for Grand Rapids.

I stopped for lunch at the local diner in Martin on the way. It was right out of the 1960’s, complete with homemade raspberry and cherry sodas, barbeque sandwich, and some locals who saved my rear. The bridge a few miles north was closed for construction, and they gave me alternate directions which ran right past Gun Lake. If it wasn’t for those new directions I might still be cycling. Thanks, guys.

I used to work in Grand Rapids for Blue Care Network, and it busted my heart right open to see people I hadn’t seen for 2 ½ years. They raised over $200 for the scholarship fund, most of it in cash, and wanted to give it to me right there, as you can see in the attached picture. Of course I asked them to mail it instead, knowing my propensity for losing things. That’s why I married an organized respectable woman like Christa, and asked the Clip Joint girls to be my fundraisers. I’d say knowing your limitations is a virtue, not an admission of incompetence.

Afterward one of my ex-coworkers, Beth Mehall and her husband Ed, invited me to spend the night and put together a little hoo-haa at her house. It was great catching up with everyone, and sharing stories about my adventure, our pasts and hopes for the future. Even though it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, our feelings couldn’t be stronger. I’d like to think that once you build close ties and friendships, the bonds never break. I felt like my heart was busting open, it was so great to see everyone.

I’m watching Sports Center on ESPN this morning with Ed and his son Joey, who let me spend the night in his room. I really liked all of the Spiderman paraphernalia (too bad Thomas had to go to school already – stinks to be you). It reminds me of my room at home.