Where is everyone?
Jeff Skolnik
It's October 7th and we have no postings for the month as yet, so here
goes a seed.
I freely admit that when this group got together there was the initial
'honeymoon' period where everyone got on and reached out as we
(re)discovered eachother and the ability to (re) connect.
I also admit to you all that for my own personal needs and deep-seeded
issues about growing up after the break-up of the South Side, I used
this site to lean on y'all to help heal some of the wounds that still
existed in the core of my being.
I can also share with you that after the countless phone calls, the
visits to Chicago, Portland, Seattle and So. Cal and the personal
visits with those I have been blessed with being with, that my soul
breathes so much more freely and some of those wounds have begun to
heal.
That all being said, it's kind of like life, for me, in that there is
a next step. For me, there is a responsibility that I create and hold
for myself to make sure that I am returning what I am receiving.
When I went down to Lee's Unleaded Blues Club and stood on the corner
of 74th and South Chicago, looking down the street towards the Manor
and expecting to see my father's car coming my way, and felt the
shadows of us as little kids jumping up inside me, as though finally
able to merge my childhood with my present life...something finally
happened within me that truly never did before...it was as though the
healing of this group had worked its way down to my core where I could
finally be at peace within me, and was now able to finally say to
myself...'it's okay...go ahead and live your life, free of the wounds,
free of the depression, free of the binding that was held so tightly
as to not let it all unravel.'
I know we all went through the same thing in our own different
ways...that the lives we have led from the time of the break-up of our
childhoods until now have taken us on so many different journeys, all,
in some way as a result of where we came from...all as a result of the
confusion and the pain of not being able to complete that portion of
our lives...as unprepared as many of us were to move to the next
levels of our lives...
I just wanted to reach out to everyone this morning, to say thank you
for letting me lean on you for my own selfish reasons. You have all
provided a space for me that continues to allow me to grow with the
peace and comfort of knowing that beyond all else, as Lauren has so
wisely told me, 'that we are here for eachother...that we always have
been.'
What you all have given to me I commit to being here for you in
return.
The Labor Day Weekend turned out to be such a heavy time for many of
us...
While I was having a dedication ceremony for my mother, that my wife,
my children, my aunt and two of my closest South Chicago brothers
(Jeff and Benj) were there...those same brothers, met up with other of
our family (Lauren, Mark and Melinda) to share in some more healing.
A month has passed since then, and I know that for me, at times it
takes awhile for stuff to set in...for the true effects to start to
surface in a place where I can deal with them.
Let's take the healing for all of us to the next step...level. As we
plan for the next reunion, and/or take the joy in all the mini-
reunions, I once again want just simply say thanks for being
there...for being here...
I truly appreciate and love you all...
Jeff S.
Lee Rothman
yourself in great depth and detail. While I didn't hang out with ya'll
back in that day, as there was a bit of a age difference, I can well
appreciate the bonds that your class formed. I especially related to
your detailed explanation of your visit to that club on the South Side
and how it effected you looking out toward the old neighborhood area.
There are just too many experiences to list, that I remember as well.
All of those 100th street memories at Moishe Pipic and Benny's,
sliding down the hill at the Church on 100th Street across from Luella
during the winter months when snow resided all around. Taking my
ritual bus ride downtown to visit Sid Sherman's Music on Wabash to
drool over their Gibson guitar collection. I too remember the day that
President Kennedy was assassinated and we came back from our lunch
time stunned and in shock. How the floor was flooded with tears from
my 5th grade teacher (Mrs. Walsh) as we watched the procession on the
TV's in our rooms. I remember everyone handing their papers to me to
fill out in music class as Ms. Ritter left the room to allow us the 10
minutes alone to complete them. Oy if she only knew eh? (I was perhaps
the only one in the room at the time that read music). Oh well. The
list is endless as you know. I tend to try to remember all of my South
Side experiences in a good light. As you say in some ways, this site
has also allowed for much healing. I appreciated the opportunity to
converse with Steve Block when he called me after finding out I was on
the site. I had the chance to apologize for the ignorant way I must
have treated he and his brother back in that day....but as he was so
gracious to remind me.......we were just kids being kids. I too, quite
often reflect on how the South Side was such an integral part of
molding me into who I am today. The internet has become a very mighty
tool indeed. This is just one blessed extension of that, and we can
all find ways to remain in touch and continue to watch each other grow
as we age...........a continuing process for sure. Take care there
Jeff..........
Lee