Friday, October 20, 2006
As the news of Howard?s passing began to sink in, the first memory which came to mind was when I last saw him. It was an ordinary day about 15 years ago, I was going to work and I bumped into him at the Ferry Ave speedline station. I hadn?t seen Howard for about 15 years before that. He was going to work also and we talked briefly for a few minutes, you know, the kind of meaningless small talk that adults seem to be good at - ?How you doing??, ?What have you been up to??, ?Good seeing you!?, etc? You never realize that it could be the last time you see somebody. Anyway, at the time it seemed to be just a chance meeting, nothing really special, but I?ll return to this memory later.
All of my other memories of Howard are from our youth growing up in the old neighborhood, those of you who were there know what I am talking about. It was a carefree and much less complicated time, where it almost seemed that time could stand still - where we had our youth and innocence and nothing could stop us except for maybe our parents or older brothers & sisters! The backyard waffle-ball games, playing nerf football on the Filla?s front lawn, tackle the man with the ball, run the bases, going to the ?woods? and exploring sandy desert or building a fort, riding our bikes tricked out with banana seats & sissy bars, swimming in the pool, those long hot summer days sitting around doing nothing together, summer rec, getting into trouble & trying to get out of it, snowball fights ? That is how I will remember Howard, I wouldn?t have it any other way.
Now I remember the last time I saw Howard quite differently ? We recognized each other immediately, even though it had been about 15 years since we last saw each other. We shook hands and smiled at each other ? a knowingly smile that immediately brought back our youthful years. Howard?s smile was very unique ? more like a grin with a cool, sly look, like he knew something that you didn?t and the corners curling ever so slightly upward. Yes we talked, but it was the look on our faces, the warm shared unspoken childhood memories, and the sudden twinkle in our eyes that seemed to imply, that if could, we would leave our tools & briefcases right there at the station and go and enjoy one of our youthful pastimes.
Good-bye old friend and God bless. Rest in peace. When we meet again let?s go back to the old neighborhood and have some fun!
Bob Mellohusky
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