Over two months have passed already since ten of us Colonel White old gals met for lunch again, and as usual we wished we could work more frequent lunch meetings into our busy, retirement schedules! It seems that when Pam (Jacobson) Driscoll knows that she will be making the trip from her Florida home to the Dayton area, we get motivated to catch-up with each other. I (Jackie) was in Ohio as well, so it was perfect timing - we were disappointed that other gals who were invited were unable to join us.

Back row, left to right: Jackie Winkler (with my eyes closed), Susie Bagwell Harker, Pam Jacobson Driscoll, Sandee Garwood Kline, Kristi Duckwall Andreae; Front left to right: Diane Krandall Briggs, Lynda Hickerson Hoffman, Jeannine White Cash, Mary Mitrousis Searles, D'Ann Study Runkle.

D'Ann (I've called her DeeDee since 5th grade, and I can?t change now) and I rode together; and as we stood in the parking lot of the THAI 9 restaurant, we worried between us, "What if we don?t recognize anyone!" One by one we began to see those familiar faces as we watched the arrivals look for parking places. Of course, we were all smiles as we greeted each other and began to make our way inside the restaurant. No time passed at all before we resumed our natural long-time connections. We all look mostly the same and totally recognizable, right?

What we need to do the next time we call ourselves together is set a timer that nudges us to move one seat to the left (or right) every 10 minutes. We frustrate ourselves while we try to concentrate on who's on our left or right while also trying with the other ear to catch what's being said in another conversation a few seats away. That gets exhausting! All of that is to say how much we enjoy each other and how interested we are. Our lives are overflowing with stories: hard times, good times, travels far and wide, those with firm Ohio roots, family glitches here and there of all types. I have to say, though, that immeasurable good has been accomplished by the ladies that surrounded our table and beyond in our class.

The young men who staffed our table provided a few chuckles as we watched them try to navigate among us; some of us take a longer time deciding; others of us had to change our minds; and one never did get the meal she ordered! Then check time. A lot of shuffling around the table, all while what we really wanted was to continue hearing about our lives. When it was time for us to break away, we wanted a group photo, of course. Most of us fought for the back row, but you know how that works! Four phones were handed to four of the wait staff when I heard one say, "You know, you could have given us one phone and then sent the pictures to the others!" Duh.

We had hoped to enjoy another luncheon together before the out-of-towners left, but that did not work. I am more and more convinced that our class was unique as I travel around and chit-chat the basics with new friends, only to hear their surprise when I talk about how dear to me are my grade school and high school friends. No, most of us are not in touch often or regularly, but when we reunite, we are familiar. Next time.