I just wanted to say I really enjoyed seeing everyone yesterday and this morning at Caren's.  Sorry I missed you Buddy, Sylvia, and the rest of you who had to leave before I arrived. 

I'm blessed to have had all of you in my life: part of my past (which wasn't always pleasurable for everyone, but you have forgiven me for some of my past actions - at least that's what you tell me to my face. LOL), and hopefully part of my future.

While it's always some of my most enjoyable times when I get to spend time with my friends who I see more often, I really enjoyed meeting your friends and family who I didn't know before, seeing some of you I haven't seen since high school, and I especially enjoyed spending time with our Porter friends (R.I.P. Forever T.N. Porter Jr. High) who had the unfortunate experience of having to attend Austin High way back when. :)  I can only hope it doesn't take another 34+ years for us all to get together again.

I was amazed at how many memories came flooding in last night, as they always do when I have the chance to spend time with my long-time friends, things I had forgotten or stowed away long ago.  As I listened to the different conversations some of you were having,  when you would bring up a name or experience from the past, your words repeatedly triggered processes - similar to putting a puzzle together, each new piece helping form the whole picture - that eventually brought that memory back as vivid in my mind as the day it happened.  Thank you for bringing back some of my youth, at least in my head,  that my old stiff back and sore joints have slowly begun replacing as the years fly by.

I especially wanted to thank our gracious and beautiful host Caren for allowing us to share her fabulous home.  From the reports I'm receiving this morning everyone got home okay, and it sounds like the only thing that got broke was a wine glass out by the pool. 

Caren, thank you.

Last but not least I wanted to send a huge thank you to Jeff and Donny who initially got the ball rolling to throw this "Beginning of the Year " 30th Anniversary Party.  It would have never happened without you.  Thank you both - I love you guys.

Thanks to everyone who contributed and participated.

For those of you who didn't get to make it out to Caren's yesterday you missed a good time. We miss you, we did talk about you (mostly good and some of the bad), and hopefully we'll get to see all of you in person soon at the next gathering.  This is only the beginning of the Class of '78's 30th, I'm sure we'll have more fun times to come.

Sorry for the long email, I know this party has stirred up enough of them, but I was feeling a little sentimental this morning, a little nostalgic, and just wanted to say thanks to everyone.

Take care,

 -Bobby

P.S.  My apologies for calling Jan and Shelly this morning at 5am, especially to Jan who I woke-up while trying to find Crosby's phone number.  Sorry.

Just to give you a feel for Saturday: I picked up Johnny Rader and we headed over to Caren's, working from our Google map.  As we turned onto Caren's street, we studied the map and tried to catch street numbers -which house was it?  Right side or left side?  We both looked up and began to laugh - it was the nice-looking house surrounded by a dozen pick-up trucks, with four more in the driveway!  (Shepperd and Mary Beth had 4x4 SUVs, but close enough!)

As for my time there, each conversation I had would just scratch the surface, whether it brought to mind sweet memories I thought I'd forgotten, or questions about things that have happened since.  And I apologize to you folks with whom I missed the chance to speak; let's shoot for next time!

Although I regret having to leave early, it was a great privilege and pleasure to be there.  Thank you, Caren Wallace, gracious hostess, and young Jeff Shepperd, master of ceremonies and all things technological! Thanks, too, Donny Finger, assistant emcee and front door greeter; you did a great job at making people feel welcome!

Okay, Jeanette says we need to have a Porter thing..

Have a good week!

BDunn