The 27th of September was one of the happiest days of my life. My wife Beth and I went back to the Joliet, Il to re-unite with my 8th grade class from 1968 at  St. Rays Catholic School.  Although I was a kid from the orphanage back then, the “Rich Kids” as I called them in my book (because they were from the affluent families in Joliet) were always very kind to me and the other kids from the orphanage.

Seeing Mary Fehrenbacher (the sweet little gal I spotted the first day I went to school at St. Rays and who became my friend) and the other kids, 40 years later, was profound. They grew up to be the same good people I remember them as when I last saw them on that warm June 4th night in 1968, at our graduation. The next day, I was sent out to Boys Town, in Nebraska, and never saw any of them again until this reunion. I thought about all of them through my challinging years at Boys Town for high school and many times during my journey in life because I always aspired to be like them.

My wife Beth got to meet Mary Fehrenbacher and the “class of 68” and it was magical. They were all terrific and we caught up on many years as best we could. They were glad to see me and that I had made it through life. I was so happy to be with them all again. Mary even gave me a hug. I was touched to say the least. Her husband Jim seems like a great guy and he and my wife spent time together getting to know each other. It was memorable.

Sal