Tuesday, September 7, 2010

The Reunion


Two weeks ago, me and my college roommates got together back at Purdue for a reunion that was long overdue. The house above is where one of my roommates live and has lived there all his life...as a matter of fact, his grandfather built the house in the 1800's. He is now the third generation living on the 200 acres which has become an oasis among golf courses, parks and other encroachments that have surrounded him and the 200 acres.

Over the years as stories go...I began to question some of the crazier things we did and wondered if they had been embellished as time went by. As we sat long into the early morning hours amidst a few beers and great music...we recounted the stories and the vast majority were in fact true! They had the same versions of our escapades as I had told. Like the time I was thrown in a trunk and made the trip from Purdue to the university of Cincinnati...about 250 miles... tied up like a hostage and released when we arrived at the Sig Ep house on the Cincinnati campus.

We also reminisced about the turmoil that erupted around us in the late 60's ...the war, the Black Panthers, the degradation of morals...and in the middle of this turmoil we still went to classes and finally got our degrees. How we did it...I still don't know.

I was so surprised that the guys had changed over the last 40 years but underneath the surface...those students I knew emerged as if to say ..."I am still here".

It was a weekend I will remember...the weekend that reminded me of the life changing period of time for me from 1968 to 1972.

Dan



7 comments:

Sunny said...

I don't think people really change, they just add layers to their character. Under all my layers, I'm only 35!
It's really wonderful that the house has remained in the family for so long :)
☼ Sunny

dianne said...

So pleased that you had a good reunion with your roommates,I'm also pleased that you made it out of that trunk. :-)
Unfortunately we all change physically and look older and time matures us to a certain degree, but once you get to talking you do find that people are pretty much the same.
Layers as Dawn has said, I like that and I only feel about 30 under my layers of maturity. ;-)
Beautiful house, wow 200 acres would be lovely and three generations, what stories those old walls could tell.
xoxox ♡

dianne said...

Sorry, as Sunny has said! xo

Dan Felstead said...

Sunny that is a great way to look at it! Layers...layers of experiences, mistakes and accomplishments over the years. Funny you mentioned 35...I am also 35 under those layers but I also have layers even under the 35...too many to mention.

Dan

Dan Felstead said...

Diane...we agree about the layers! I just commented to Sunny....

You too have those 30 layers! It seems like I am in good company!

Dan

J Cosmo Newbery said...

Great house, lovely to have something like that stay in the family

Dan Felstead said...

Yes J...I wish I was that lucky!

Dan