This past weekend in Deer Park , Long Island in New York City was a both a blessing and a revelation. The blessing was friends and family, some , haven’t seen each other in person in over 40 years. Life has taken its toll on many of our counterparts who for one reason or another, or for the fate of time was not able to be present. Life is for the living. For a brief 24 hour period we , a Queens ,New York Hillcrest H.S. basketball team that last gathered in June of the year 1978 was back together again joined by the loyal community that supported us.
The beauty of the human spirit should never be taken for granted. In the span of four decades technology increased dramatically. Where now today the iPhone is the best friend of many people, our Saturday Reunion reminded us that a firm hand shake, a brisk bodily hug are invaluable. Now , there was a place for the iPhones this day, to take high pixel photographs of the smiles and joy we experienced seeing each other again. No material possession can take the place of sincere and genuine company with people you love.
Many of the fellas that reunited for The Saturday Event left their wives at home, so we could truly have a guys night out ! However the host and his wife prepared food and drink that was out of this world. There most definitely is always a need for a woman’s touch to make events like this complete. It’s amazing what good food, moving music, and spirits for those who indulged in such can do to enliven aging men.
The revelation is the reward of being alive with a sound mind, and a willing healthy body to share the spirit of love amongst each other, and more significantly carry that spiritual vibe to those who we return home to engage with. That’s the beauty of human relationships ! I’ll never forget a wise saying from my mother as a child, ” Never put things, before people”. It has taken me 62 years to see that, ‘People Make The World Go Round’ !
By Tyrone H. Muhammad
