SOMEHOW

“The word SOMEHOW is the stamp of a point of view in the making.” --Gershom Scholem, from his book, WALTER BENJAMIN, The Story of a Friendship 

I found an old postcard that Steven Antol sent me on November 10th, 1989.  He wrote this about nine years ago.  He was my friend who was the United Airlines Flight Attendant but died last year on May 13, 1997, at age 36 (of AIDS).  He wrote on a Florida postcard with a postmark of Tampa, FL with a pictorial of bikini clad girls on their bikes.  He knew how I loved bike riding.  SOMEHOW it made me feel good that he thought of me when he saw the bicycles.  He wrote: 

Dear Michael, 

Just finishing up my vacation.  I visited the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, went to Pennsylvania to visit with my family.  Now I’m in Florida visiting my friends from my younger days.  Tomorrow I’m off to L.A, then back to Honolulu.  I hope that you’re doing fine.  Drop me a note. 

Aloha, 

Steven 

As far as current correspondence for the week I have notecards from cousin MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling in Colorado Springs; cousin Edward M Espinosa in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Alan Freiman who remembered our Nov 20th Anniversary (when we met in 1989); and Thanksgiving cards from cousin Patty Richfield in Philadelphia, cousin Edna in Santa Fe, and our dear friend MaryAnn Parsons who we befriended many moons ago at the infamous LAWRY’s Prime Rib Restaurant in Beverly Hills.   

From cousin MaryAnn Montoya-Gehling, writing in glee over the gifts I sent her for her Birthday.  I think she SOMEHOW felt obligated to write me with much sincerity: 

Michael, 

Let’s start over.  Let this thank you be the real one.  Forget the first one I sent.   

I loved the Birthday gifts and the card, but my first impression was that you sent me a psychology book and shower gel...so are you trying to tell me I’m mentally ill and I smell?  I had to laugh. 

I’ve only thumbed through the book so far.  It looks good.  I think there is a message there for me. 

The fragrance set is lovely.  You don’t know this, but I am allergic to most perfumes.  Not this one.  I can use it without a reaction. I LOVE IT. Thank you for the gifts, Michael. 

When I got the package, it said don’t open till November 8th.  I didn't open it until my Birthday, but I held the package next to my heart sand whispered, “Michael remembered.” 

Thank You.  I Love You, 

M.A. 

From cousin Edward M Espinosa via three homoerotic male postcards.  I guess he SOMEHOW thought the male postcards went well with the gay-themed love story, NOW AND THEN.  

Nov. 19, 1998 

Hi Michael, 

Just finished reading the book you gave me, “NOW AND THEN” by William Corlett.  It took me a little longer because any more reading time is regulated to bedtime and most of the time, I fall asleep in the middle of a chapter and then I must go back two or three pages.  But it was delightful.  It brought back some memories: good and not-so-good!  I, too, met a high school “friend” in SPAIN twenty years later.  Not in Cordova, but in Sevilla.  Mine was not gray haired but almost bald.  Though I didn’t have the same feelings Kit had for Steven (in the NOW AND THEN book), it was a very nice meeting, and we’ve kept in touch since.   

I presume that by now you’re back from Europe.  I’m sure it was a great vacation.  Write to me about it.  I love to hear of people’s vacations. 

I’m including copies of an article my niece, Denise, wrote for ROBOTICS MAGAZINE.  Her professor and her teammate took credit for the article, but she alone wrote it.  She passed her Masters Orals with Distinction.  Graduation is on December 16th and though she’s tired of school I think she’s going to press on for her PhD.  

Hope to hear from you soon. My best to Alan. 

Love you, 

Edward 

From Alan, using a picnic Claude Monet image that I love.  I think I was SOMEHOW at that picnic or a similar one during that period.  I felt a sensation when I saw the image.  I love a picnic under a shady tree.   

11/20/98 

Dearest Michael, 

Well, I LOVE YOU and I am major HOH (Head Over Heels).  Always remember that. 

Happy Anniversary, 

Love,  

Alan 

From cousin, Patty Richfield, in Philadelphia, who SOMEHOW makes it a point to remember me on holidays.  I love this: 

11-21-1998 

Dear Cuz, 

Thank you for all your cards.  It sure was good hearing from you.  I envy you.  I love to travel and see new places.  I’ve never been to Europe but maybe I’ll go one of these days.  Hope all is well with you and your family.  Have a nice Turkey Day.  Take Car and God Bless. 

Love, 

Your Cuz Patty 

Cousin Edna Maestas simply sent a cute Thanksgiving card with THE RECIPE TREE, a sort of chain letter to pass on recipes.  Cute idea. 

MaryAnn Parsons didn’t really write much in her Thanksgiving card other than the verse that was already imprinted.  She did write “See you on Thursday!” because we are meeting here with Gloria and Jack at LAWRY’s PRIME RIB where she loves to go around Thanksgiving and Christmastime.  It is a beautiful feeling in that restaurant during the holidays with real life Christmas Carolers singing and all.  SOMEHOW, we all make time to enjoy the holidays in the way we feel they should be.   I know I love the tradition of watching the MACY’s Thanksgiving Parade on the morning of Thanksgiving.  

“We’ve found that gay boys are often more inventive and adaptable than straights.  Could be because they've had to be inventive to get along in straight society.” --James Lord in his book, MY QUEER WAR