A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

You who be 'au fait' with the manner in which this old geezer posts, know that it is the norm to do it at first light.  Tonight I break with tradition and take to me keyboard to bang out my offering whilst the thoughts are still fresh.

The end began with a beginning hatched in the early morn hours of the day.

The Big Kahuna had planned to gather up his band of chums and lead them on a walk through Hilo.  The hour was set and our fearless leader is known to be very much an 'on time' sort of person.  With his trainers upon feet and comfy shorts and shirt, he waited for all to come forth and be taken into the world.  The walk was to be a most brilliant one.

This old geezer likened the planned march to the forced march of POW's from the film "Bridge on the River Kwai" with the cheerful whistling of that tune most remembered from the 1950's film.  Made a point of planting that tune in the heads of Lulu, Mark Twain and Cathrine The Great...

Hours later, or so it seemed, the walkers returned, a wee bit done in it seemed to me jaundiced eye.

Scott had a full schedule planned and it was soon off to the beach to snorkel and swim and what ever else one does in the water.  The warning was issued that the sun was to be monitored, as it could be right wicked on the skin, even on a not so bright sunny day in Hilo.

Round six, the surf tossed group returned to the hostel to bathe and collect selves before an evening meal.

It is a wonder what a little soap and water can do, as the ladies turned out smartly dressed in Capri pants and Twain and the Big Kahuna in well appointed 'at the beach' attire.

Dinner was ordered from a smart local eatery and there was lovely wine to go with.

While the food and beverage were superior, it was not the focus of the evening for this old geezer.

How oft is one lucky enough to have a front row seat in the playing out of the tableau of friendship?  What good fortune to be able to sit back and observe the ritual of 'memory' done with style and finesse.  With only my keen mind to collect notes, I sat and followed the conversation and tried to capture the looks that went with high notes hit in the recollections of the gathered school chums.

Coming from an entirely different background, I found myself envious of the easy camaraderie that flowed back and forth across the dining room table.  I was quite clear that the ladies adored Scott and he felt the same of them.  The banter was light and cheerful, no forced laughs and it was clear that time had not lessened
the ability of the gathered chums to pick up right where they left off when last met.

That I hold The Big Kahuna in high regard is well known to readers of this blog.  To have been given the gift of friendship from one so willing to embrace the whole of one, warts and all is overwhelming.  To be introduced to an ever growing circle of most brilliant folks with such kindness.  Now there be more met who seem destined to be a part of the fabric of me life.

Lulu is a given, she is such an open book of emotion, you can readily read her delight in have met upon her face.  I rather think she is a keeper.  Her husband, being a man, is more reserved but one tends to think he is well disposed toward the old geezer.  Cathrine The Great is not one to wear emotions upon sleeve, she is taking in all of the data and one can see her weighing out the value of.  Cautious one might say of her.  One gets the feeling that she holds close that which she takes to heart.

That I was gifted with such a night shared is indeed a wondrous thing.  Truly, let not your thoughts that this old geezer is prone to colourful protestations of delight ruin the seriousness of my implied intent.  I had the great good fortune to share a most delightful evening in the companion of folks I think brilliant, rather legend that is...