I have been very fortunate over the years to have great friends and wonderful experiences but this is a interesting one.
Two weeks ago I returned a t-shirt to a friend and high school classmate. I have had his shirt for over 30 years. It was a yellow long sleeve with an emblem on the back that said Mr. Zog’s Sex Wax. A totally California cool t-shirt, right?
My friend went to UC Berkeley all the way across the country. I was at Siena College in New York. I can picture him in high school so tall and thin- typical cross country runner. He wore wool sweaters and I believe we went ice skating a few times. He was a great guy, then and now.
I can’t remember, thank you menopause, how we began our pen pal relationship or how I got the t-shirt. You see youngsters, back then, there were no cell phones, no internet and you had to wait until 9pm to call long distance because it was cheaper! Donald and I used to talk on the phone. I would have Happy Days on in the background on a Tuesday night. We would chat for a while over basically nothing at all. The Seinfeld of our times! I would wait for a letter, usually mailed in some oddball humorous way. He once used one cent stamps all over the front of the letter in lieu of a single stamp. I knew his handwriting as soon as I saw it.
The t-shirt, I believe came in the mail. I loved that shirt. I kept it all these years, through every move, vacation and road trip. It was a very cool shirt yet I never felt the need to return it.
As I have said in the past, Facebook is a wonderful thing and after all these years, we reconnected. Donald and I did meet up once, in Illinois in the early 90’s. I was working for a company with their HQ in Springfield, IL. I believe he was in Champaign, IL. We ended up meeting and going to the IL State Fair. What fun.
One day I just felt the need to send it back. I messengered him for his home address and shipped it off. It was almost totally intact except for the cut in the neckband. I cannot remember when or why I cut it. He messengered me when he received it. I was happy to return it. Shortly thereafter I received a post card in that familiar handwriting.
Its funny how three decades went by and this Sex Wax t-shirt moved with me and my life. I thank you Donald for your friendship over the years, the reconnection and the memories I sadly struggle to remember.
Wear it in good health. Your classmates and I hope to see you at the 40th reunion in 5 years.
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