It seems that all too often we loose track of the good people and the families who have made a positive impact on our lives. Last night I had a chance to reconnect with a friend I made way back in Kindergarten during the 60’s. Although you may think that you can’t have much of a friendship at such a young age, it did not necessarily start that way, but by the time we were in 8th grade together we had become pretty close with each others families. We played ball together, hung out together, played guitar together and the girl chasing changed from trying to push them down to trying to ask them out. We both went to different high schools, different colleges, spent time in different states and went on looking for what would make us happy.
Fast forward to 2010 where I received an invite from Kevin to come to a benefit show that he was giving to aid a wonderful cause called Odyssey of the Mind. The Odyssey program provides mechanical problem solving opportunities to K thru college students. We don’t have enough young interest in science and mechanics in the US, so this is a great program.
Kevin is an accomplished guitarist and songwriter and his partner has a 7th grade son who is involved with the program, so every year, they do a benefit that helps defer the travel cost so these kids can compete on the local, state and national levels. This year the benefit was in Brookfield Wisconsin which is only about 2.5 hours from my house, so I made a road trip of it to go see my old friend. I was not able to leave till almost 5:30pm so I did not arrive in Brookfield till almost 7:45. 
There was a good size crowd of friends and family gathered at the indoor/outdoor pavilion in and I just happened to get there while Kevin was on his break. Kevin looked the same as I had remembered him with just a few more grey hairs sprinkled around his still short hair. We talked for a few minutes before he had to get back on stage but before he did he introduced me to his wife who was kind enough to fill me in on some of the tings I had missed over the past 30 plus years.
I was a bit surreal to sit there for the next few hours and watch my old friend entertain the crowd. It was strange because even though we both have a son, a daughter and a wonderful wife, I did not feel that we had changed much since lat time I saw him. I was very comfortable just giving him a hug and picking up where we left off years ago. I hope he felt the same.
I was back on the road by 10:30 and home by 1 so it was a pretty quick turn around. Was it worth it to drive 5 hours to spend less than 3 hours with an old friend? You bet it was. I have many St. Francis buddies (girls and guys) who were always such great people and it makes me very happy to see that they still are.
You can check out Kevin’s Music over at kevinmulvenna.com.