Special Surprises

 

Had a really special surprise recently.  I participate in a Univ. of Cincinnati program named OLLI.  OLLI is a curriculum for people over the age of 55.  Very cool.  You pay $90/semester, get to choose as many of their courses as you can fit into your schedule and have a fun time learning all kinds of things.

One of my favorite courses, which I have taken several times is A Reader’s Life.  This is kind of a revolving book report.  At the beginning of the semester the students select 8 weeks’ worth of genres and then each week take turns reporting on books you have read from that genre.  It’s a neat way to learn about books you may never have heard of.

So, on September 18 a new semester started and as usual a few new faces showed up in the class.  The class had just started when about 6-7 minutes late an elderly gentleman wandered in.  He stood near the door for a few seconds I guess trying to figure out if he was in the right room.  The moderator welcomed him and then asked his name. 

I didn’t recognize him at first, but as soon as he spoke, I recognized his voice.  It was a dear friend from eons ago, Bob Shanklin.  Bob had certainly aged, but there he was, standing in our class.  As he walked by to take a seat, I grabbed his hand and said “Hi”.  I could tell he did not recognize me; I wouldn’t expect him to, but when he heard my name, he said, “Oh my God!” 

At the end of the class, I went back to where he was sitting to visit for a minute or two.  He is now 92 years old, very feeble, with multiple health issues.  He couldn’t stay long as he was teaching a class in 15 minutes, but he suggested we have lunch soon. That was the last time I saw him in the class, he has not returned.

But still, I grin whenever I think about that encounter.  Bob and I were both very active in the local Sierra Club many, many years ago.  I got to know him best when he helped organize the “Morning Glory Bike Ride” a fund-raising event for the club.  The ride started at 4 am, wound through downtown Cincinnati and ended up back down by the river at sunrise.  Then breakfast was served. 

He is a terrific man, married, kids, an insurance agent (back then) and very committed to helping the environment.  He is definitely one of the good guys.  Hope I see him again soon, so we can set that lunch date.