One more pic. from the Firemen's Ball, Jeffrey and me. I've talked a lot about my friend Libby, her little sister Erica...well surprise, surprise, Jeff is their older brother! Don't worry, there's only one more Simshauser left in the bunch and that's Lisa, but she's living in Florida and isn't visiting anytime soon. When I walked into the party on Friday night, Jeffrey and his wife were the first people I saw, immediately getting great big hugs and lots of love. When we were kids, our families were as close as could be so of course, there was lots of reminiscing to be had. My parents were friends with several other families, all with bunches of kids, 4 in ours, Ashleys 4, Records 4, Campbells 3 and Simshausers 4...kids all within a few years age of each other. Each gathering us kids outnumbered the grownups and had a blast playing Kick the Can, Murderer and other crazy outdoor games...yes, we were typically sent outside. Jeffrey began telling me how he just drove by my old homestead, remembering all the good times we had back in the day...after another Birthday he was feeling his age! These childhood friends were so much more than friends, they were extended family. Since mine was the only family that lived way out in the woods, I spent a great deal of my teen years at the Simshuasers, who lived right in town, allowing Libby and I to walk into town and do our own thing. Their mother, Paula was almost totally deaf, she wouldn't hear us come in late and sneak upstairs...oh, the fun we had. I still find it unbelievable that Libby died before making it to 50... crazy! It serves as a reminder to appreciate each year I'm given, wrinkles and all. My family never took on calling them cousins, we had enough real cousins to throw another dozen fake cousins in the mix but these childhood friends still feel like family and always will. Paula always called Jeff by his full name, Jeffrey and he always called me Rach and still does (not many people get away with that). Funny how the little things become the big things in life. It would be so fun to get the entire gang back together again for a reunion, doubtful it could happen but oh, that would be something. Most of the kids grew up and moved away, only a few of us remain here in RI.... but it's fun to imagine and who knows, anything is possible. I may have to work on that reunion...it would be good for all of us. We're still just a bunch of kids, ageless in our minds. I still see Jeffrey coming out into the hallway, asking me and Libby why we're in so late...but never telling on us. He's lucky he was so nice to us.... my almost sixty year old self remembers it all. We may be all grown up, dressed up but our chatter was all about what a good time we had as kids... thank goodness we're still having fun!
🥰❤️🥰T
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