Thursday, September 15, 2022
As as student at Central High School in Philadelphia, I was fortunate to be favored with a popular and competent geometry teacher, Milton Brooks. Mr. Brooks' son, Alan, was also a student but he was two years behind me and I did not know him. Years later, I met Alan (I don't remember how or where) but we quickly discovered that were both Bridge players. We formed a partnership and from that we developed a firm friendship. Alan was my partner when I won my first "red point" at a regional tournament in Asbury Park, N.J.
At that time (we were both young and care free) Alan was a devoted skier. He talked me into going with him to the slopes. It was a beautiful day which I spent sliding down a cold, wet hill on my rear end; I suffered an awful sunburn on my face; but I also eventually developed a passion for skiing and I owe Alan a grateful thank you for having introduced me to a hobby which gave me so many happy hours and days.
Alan met Ginny about the same time that I met Myrna. We "double dated" on a regular basis and the two girls became fast friends. One thing we noticed about Alan, he was a stickler for punctuality. He would call me to say that he and Ginny would meet us at Myrna's house for our Saturday night date at 8:03 P.M. I would arrive at 8:01, Myrna would descend the staircase at 8:02, Alan would arrive at exactly 8:03, and by 8:04 we were merrily on our way to the evening's festivities. There was more precision in those departures than in the average rocket ship moon launch.
Ginny and Alan set their wedding date for February 14,1965 and, of course, asked Myrna and me to join their wedding party. We had planned our wedding for March 7, but when we discovered that on that date they would not yet have returned from their honeymoon trip, we reset our date for March 14 so that they could reciprocate by joining our wedding party.
Ginny and Alan purchased their beautiful house in Dresher, PA, Myrna and I bought our beautiful house in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
Children were born, visits were made, children grew, visits were made, children were grown and suddenly, retirement. Ginny and Alan moved to Aiken S.C. so that Ginny could pursue her interest in horses. She purchased a mammoth horse and a beautiful carriage and from what I understand developed a rather high level of expertise in driving the rig. Our last time together was when Myrna and I visited in Aiken. Ginny insisted that we all take a ride in the carriage. Myrna and I enthusiastically accepted the invitation. How that little lady was able to handle that enormous horse was beyond my comprehension. I recall remarking that from where I was sitting in the carriage, one could develop a new perspective on what a horse's ass actually looked like. I thought my quip was rather funny. Ginny was clearly not amused, Alan maintained an absolutely straight face and Myrna gave me on of those wifely "shut up you fool" looks that all married men are familiar with. I still think that it was funny.
Now, Myrna is gone, Ginny is gone, and Alan, too. I am the last man standing. Fare well, my friend,
Paul Shalita
