Once a year a group of friends connected from one or more of neighborhood, elementary school, high school or their relationship to someone with one of the prior mentioned connections gather at Bell Park Manor Terrace across from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens Village.  Kirby Lindell, who I met and befriended in high school, is the "instigator."  Kirby also played a key role in high school reunions that took place like clock work every five years concluding with our 50th last fall.  Some friends fit all of those connections to Kirby.  Others besides one of those connections with Kirby have our own additional connections that do not include Kirby;  in my case the connections involve synagogue/ religious school, elementary and junior high schools and even day camp.

We catch up on what our families, our social and professional lives, our living arrangements (some trading homes for apartments with the nest being empty and/or living part-time in Florida).  Some of us retired; others still working, mostly by choice (a good thing per my view of things).  

It is the type of gathering that even if one has other commitments, you create the time to stop by and catch up.

And even though we all have been around for more than a bit, the collective energy connects us to our youth and you certainly leave with a sense of exuberance.

[The pic is from a 'fest some 15 year back.]