February 22

Today would have been Naomi's birthday. What I remember about that is that she never had to go to school on her birthday. She had gotten used to sharing her birthday with George Washington, Father of our Country - her entire school life and always had his - so her - birthday off. Then it happened. Presidents Day. In 1968 Congress passed the Federal Holiday Act moving holidays to Mondays. I knew Naomi pretty well by then - we were best friends and lived close to each other - actual bike riding distance away. We'd even walk it when we got too cool for bikes. She was ticked. Very few people have seen her mad. Ask anybody - what's the first word out of their mouth...."Sweet! So nice!" I guess she was so upset about it that her Mom let her stay home on her birthday even when it was a school day!

We learned to play flute together. Her big sister, Debbie was our high school helper when we did 6th grade band. Remember going to the High School for that? We ended up sitting side by side in C Band, and then quickly advanced through B to A. We took turns challenging each other and would flip back and forth. We never sat apart our entire junior high career. Then, tragedy struck. I listened to someone else (peer pressure) who said none of the cool kids took band. So, I dropped out. I won't name names...Paula S... But at one of our reunions, someone pointed out that all the cool kids WERE in Band!

So anyway. I miss her. She was my locker partner through most of junior high and high school. We rode the bus together and always sat together. In sixth grade we were both at Broadview and she was very athlietic. At that time, I was not. She and another Captain were chosing up sides for softball or kickball or something. Of course she wisely choose the sporty types first, but when she reached the point where there were no athletes left - she chose me! I was the first of the klutz's chosen! You all have no idea how great that made me feel! But I also felt bad, because Mark Horn, standing behind her as her first pick, punched her in the back.

She absolutely hated her picture being taken, so of course, being the good friend I was - I have mutiple pictures of her whipping her head around to avoid the shot! Good times!    Miss you Nome!