Reading Anne's memories of Casey sparked other memories for me. It was in 9th grade that I started getting to know Casey. Over the High School years our group did a lot together. Casey was my favorite bridge partner, whether at her house or Shawnee or elsewhere. There were lots of parties together; downstairs at her house dancing to Johnny Mathis, at others, or at my house around the pool or dancing in the big room across the yard. Great in the summer especially. I always enjoyed her warmth, enthusiasm, intelligence, and her willingness to have fun. Honestly I had a crush on her but she was always someone else’s girl friend – usually one of my best friends (Don, Frank)…
After High School we slowly lost touch for several decades. At our 50th High School reunion (2013) we reconnected: a late night scotch with OX; wine and talk with the old group in the lobby of the hotel every evening; driving around with Anne and Emalee looking at our old homes and other places we'd loved. I was really pleased when I was able to convince Casey, Emalee, Anne, and Mimi, to come visit me in Japan the next year. Showing Japan to Casey and friends was a real treat for me. Her enthusiasm was infectious. We called ourselves "ducklings" after that trip: Casey pointed out how the others had to follow me in a line as we threaded through busy Japanese train station platforms; no one wanted to get lost — like ducklings imprinted on their mother.
In October 2015, Casey and I met for a day in Catania, Sicily, Italy. We walked too much and had way way too much food at a restaurant partly because neither of us could speak Italian. She had already been fighting cancer and we talked about her fears and strengths in beginning to face her death as we ate plate after plate after plate of great food making up their "lunch of the day."
A year or so later, 2017, the Ducklings got introduced to Holden Beach. A wonderful week there. Two weeks later Casey and I spent a week of exploring the Everglades and Keys — out to Key West. So glad we had that time together. She even "dragged" me to the Truman Little White House and Hemingway's house — both wonderful to see and learn about. Lots of time to talk over dinners and on the beach; her knowledge of history was breathtaking.
All of these wonderful times; and more with later visits to Holden Beach, France, and Cornelius… A rich tapestry of friendship and caring over the years. I've been honored and graced to know Casey; the many pleasures of friendship shared, the knowing of each other's histories, nostalgia for the fun we've had and the fun we have continued to have and share until now. I will miss her greatly. Love to Casey.
