"I don't want to fade away.."

For the past five or six years ( ok, more like six weeks ) I have been dealing with a virus, lingering cough that is horrendous. Coughing is too nice a word..more like HACKING up bits of my lung is more like it. And when I get on a plane and one of these attacks hit and people- rightfully- shoot me crusty looks..I feel like the flight scene out of "The Hot Zone" ( a MUST read for any germaphobe!!)

A delightful introduction to my latest adventure,but an appropriate one. I ventured out to North Carolina with Devin and her sweet babies. We needed to meet Cohen Knudsen and see where Olivia and Ben are calling home these days. And who wouldn't want to see this lovely state?!!

Was it what I was expecting..? Yes, and a lot more so. Trees that just never end. Green beyond belief. I like the way the east feels older. The historic vibe - yes - but also its buildings. Carolina just has Presence. The grounds at Duke and UNC at Chapel Hill..outstanding.

But this trip was more about the people we came to see. When people heard I was going out there they thought Cherie was going to be there as well. Unfortunately she was not. As Kelly so frankly put it, "what are you going to DO with Devin and her friends?" Clearly I was along to help Devin with the little kids, although Jane is in a "mommy ONLY" phase so I don't know how much I truly helped out there. I was the financial backer for the expedition and that was all good. Perhaps I forget my age too often,but I enjoyed being with the girls and thought it was real fun. Oh, and Abby Lyman drove down from Virginia to be with "us" as well ( see how quickly I can lump myself in with some group!!) Abby is the quickest wit i know and I adore being with her.

Ok..here comes the philosophical part of this entry. I don't know if it was the cough medication, menopause, or worse things I don't want to even imagine..probably a combination. When Devin had Preston I was like - yeah this is great na na na na . Jane however sends me tripping back to 1985 ..SHE IS SO MUCH LIKE DEVIN. Then add Cohen, who is a male version of baby Olivia and my head really begins to whirl. Devin and Olivia are chatting non-stop babies, and memories of their growing up. I could cut the dejavu with a knife. Once I almost called Ben, Koki...that was TOO much. I faded back, took some deep breaths and remembering where I really was, enjoyed watching the girls be together.

(stay with me here..I am wrapping this up) The flight out to North Carolina is a long one. I was on the aisle seat and the man sitting kitty corner to me started "The Godfather" as the plane took off ( it is a really long movie.) I obviously didn't have sound but I found myself being drawn into the movie. I hadn't seen it in quite a while, and the whole cast struck me as so young. Especially Al Pacino. He aged as the Scarface, italian mob character he always portrayed. But in Godfather he is so young and beautiful. I don't mean that in what-a-hunk way. His close-ups in that movie are breathtaking. It was made in the 70's..the Cherie decade. And here we are today..with babies that looked like our babies. It has been quite the ride. A good one.. a great one. I like the way the cough medicine makes me float wavily between these two times. Devin and Olivia can grow up, Koki- Cherie- Kevin and I can all be in our 50's..Al can get all the wrinkles he needs to at his present age..it's just the way it rolls. It is our life and I love it. I just don't want to fade away..ha. WHO WANTS TO BORROW A CUP OF MY COUGH MEDICINE ?!!!!!