Saturday, October 22
In 1974, I exited New Jersey to start university in Delaware. Shortly after a work stint in Washington DC, I departed the east coast for good in late summer, 1979. I settled in the PNW, found my peeps and only rarely looked back.
This past week, while visiting Chris, Jeff and Jenna, I have been buoyantly jolted back to my childhood and high school years. At every turn, my senses vividly reminded me of years gone by. It has been so wonderful and nostalgic. I have happily experienced:
– Walking the leaf covered paths of the brightly colored deciduous forests
– Hearing familiar caws of NJ crows
– Seeing that noble Blue Jay perched on his fence post. Alas, no sightings of the native scarlet cardinal
– Driving the twisting, rolling, country highways, byways and back roads of the Jersey countryside.
– Entering a NJ high school gym during spirit week, similar to the one where I spent countless hours in my youth at basketball practice
-Straining to parse out the heavily accented NJ lexicon.
-Seeing the ubiquitous cape cod house with aluminum siding and the American flag
-Fully experiencing the iconic sights, sounds and smells of NYC streets.
– Smelling and tasting the authentic, ethnic east coast foods, especially pizza margherita
– Hearing the ever so familiar place names of tunnels, bridges, and towns – like the NJTPK, Pulaski Skyway, Holland Tunnel, Outer Bridge Crossing, Weehawken, Hoboken, Bayonne, the Raritan river etc.
– Playing Poker ‘Jersey’ style – double locked doors, worn furnishings, sticky cards, large, loud personalities, tough talk and great stories.
I hereby publicly acknowledge, with a gigantic THANK YOU, all those family folks who have contributed to our marvelous experience here in the east over the past three weeks. My high expectations for the trip have most certainly been thoroughly surpassed!
Good on ya all mates!
Pizza Lunch at Lombardi’s in Little Italy -Chris and Jeff!
Hi Mike,
I agree… east coast pizza is the best! I just got back from a week in NJ visiting my mom and family. It sounds like you and Laurie are having an incredible visit with loved ones.
When I was there the leaves were just starting to change. I hope you get to enjoy some of the beautiful, brilliant colors before you head back home.
Catching up with your journey by reading your stories. Feeling sad that life has dealt you this hand. What can I say -It’s hard to find the right words…..Your joy for life, your strength and courage comes through, even as you “keep it real”.
Holding you and Laurie in my thoughts and in my heart.
love, Deborah
Dear Mike and Laurie, We have been faithfully reading your blog and are so happy you are having such a great time with family and friends. To recall happy memories , and the wonderful nostalgic past — what a blessing. We have no words about your latest health news–only love. Norene and Lloyd
Mike–
Well, for what it’s worth, 2.7 is magnitudes below what it was last early spring, we’ll see what the docs say in a few days, until then, you seem to be enjoying a great trip back east….and I’m enjoying your posts of the events. It’s causing me to relish the times I’ve done these excursions into my past and revisited the old stomping grounds/friends/relatives, and makes me want to do more. I appreciate your writing about your experiences and I’m glad you’re doing this trip and sharing it so richly. My thoughts and visualizations are with you and Laurie daily.
Much Love to You Both; Joseph
Mike
Let’s go for a hike or walk up to camas and dominate some third graders in basketball.
Sure do miss you
Tom
As Tom said best, we sure do miss you and Laurie…. Was thinking about our lunches at Cal Young, your words of wisdom being inhaled and consumed by me like a hungry baby. The one I always remembered, “it’s a ten year learning curve…..” You were right, as always… I was the teacher I became because of you. Daily, I said to myself “how the hell would Heil handle these little fu*%€ears!?” And the answer that came was, with a smile.