Happiness is meeting up with an old friend after a long time apart.

“Happiness is meeting up with an old friend after a long time apart.” - Unknown

As many of you might remember, last week’s Mayor’s Message dealt with good neighbors, and my experience joining a group of great neighbors at a block party in the Pinehurst Subdivision. I received several emails from Darien residents telling me how much they enjoyed that message. One of the emails I received came from LaNora Auriene, a resident on Stevens Street, and while she agreed that Darien did indeed have great neighborhoods filled with good neighbors, she wanted to brag a bit about the residents on Stevens, their get-togethers and their wonderful comradery. At the end of her email, she noted that their next get-together would be September 17, and she invited me to attend. Since Cathy was gone that Saturday afternoon visiting friends, I decided to take LaNora up on her offer, and I joined the group at the home of Paul and Pat Nizzerre.

That is only half of my story, as I mentioned, the party was held in the backyard of Paul and Pat Nizzere, and it just so happens that Paul and I coached DYC Baseball over 35 years ago and his son Paul and my son Jeff were on the same team. During the time our sons played ball together, we became friends with the Nizzeres, close enough that we knew about their family and how our families shared similar values. We did not really see them outside of DYC, but Cathy and I appreciated their friendship. When the boys grew out of DYC, we occasionally saw Paul and Pat, but for the most part, we lost touch with them.

When I attended that backyard party last Saturday, it was as if the years had melted away, as we shared stories about our boys and how our lives have changed over the last 35 years. While our recollections put a smile on our faces, we admitted to the fact that we were now seniors and we were facing a different period of our lives. One thing we agreed upon was the fact that life had been good to each of our families, and that sharing our experiences over the last 35 years, we realized that meeting up with old friends teaches us exactly how much our lives have changed.

I truly appreciated the opportunity to meet all of LaNora’s neighbors on Stevens, but the highlight of my day was the chance to visit with Paul and Pat, sharing our good memories and appreciating the value of “old friendships.” If you get a chance, contact an old friend that you have not seen in a number of years and spend time filling in the years past as you enjoy the present and look forward to the future.