Columbus with Janie (part 3)

 

"I feel like a giddy High School girl in love" was the P.S. on the Rebecca & Co. original design card. A Big Hug from me to you - was the message and it arrived in my mailbox about a week before Janie and I would be together again - this time in Columbus, Ohio. I too, feel like a high schooler. Well, in so many ways, it's as if no time had passed at all since we were a couple in High School. 

I flew to Columbus where I would visit with my nephew on Thursday night. Friday morning, Janie drove from Cleveland and we spent a lovely 28 hours together. The Columbus Museum of Art is hosting a special exhibition of Tapestries designed by High Renaissance artist Raphael. Columbus is a twin city with Dresden, Germany and, as such, is the only place in the U.S. showing these remarkable pieces (which once hung in the Sistine Chapel). After Columbus they will go to London.

One of Six Raphael designed Tapestries on view at Columbus Museum of Art

Coffee and Tea in the sculpture garden. In spite of weather predictions of cloudy day, the sun was shinning and the temps are in the sixties. Comfortable and adjacent to Aristide Maillol The Mountain and a reflecting pool.

Lunch at Ohio State Golf Course and a evening with Shadowbox Live regional theater sketch comedy production of Wicked Games. 

A visit with my sister at the Wal-Mart where she sells eyeglasses; The show and The Marriott Columbus OSU spill into breakfast and and pregame of The Ohio State Buckeyes at the Penn State University at JV's house. (JV is stressing a bit over his latest project to rehab and renovate a house in Upper Arlington). 

Janie left for Cleveland mid morning and we racked up a few more memorable moments before returning to our respective lives in Cleveland and Saint Louis (I flew back early Sunday on Southwest wanna get away trip that took me through Chicago).

Photo above: Janie photographed in the Lakewood High School cafeteria in 1974 where she had the same kind of charm, mystery and vibe as the character played by Ali McGraw opposite Ryan O'Neal's character in Love Story (1970). 

Photo Below: Wes and Janie at Ohio State University golf course where we enjoyed a leisurely lunch surrounded by the majesty of a Fall Day in October. 

 

Je t’aime Janie

 

I know you are capable of being alone;

I’ll just text you, so I’ll be on your phone.

I wish you more… You say I could always read you;

Your cards are on the table but never fully shown.

 

Children on hard wood floors making noise;

Five girls and no boys.

Grace Wren Mercy Rooney Prim;

Princess parade proceeding with poise.

 

Cleveland, Cincy and Columbus;

Can’t stop thinking of the two of us;

Old Immigrant brew-pub eclectic;

Divine Intervention…In God we trust.

 

Clifton Park, Edgewater Drive;

It’s great to be alive;

Embracing the moment;

Grateful, as we survive.

 

Consider the time and miles;

Kissing in the dark,   

We’re only dancin’ a while.

And I will always love your smile.

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Love Story

 

They went to the senior dance;

Not ever thinking of an enduring romance.

That night came and went;

Marking time and another life event.

 

Ultimately going their separate ways;

It was a time and place. It was just a phase;

Unaware they were living the good old days.

Simple, present, in retrospect, it amazed. 

 

A reunion and a chance encounter;

Memories rekindle as he once again found her;

They danced around and round;

As the feelings and flames astound.

 

The bond was a magical kind of chemistry;

Familiar places, friends, a shared history;

The why and the how remains a mystery

What they were and are will always be.

Note: The poetry is one way for me to channel my sappy affection for this ironic set of circumstances that brings us together after so many years.