We all have special people and memories from the year and summer of ‘69. When I think back to that year, all my memories include Tom. He is what made that year special to me. He was my “steady” and my true friend. He took me to the only Prom that I ever attended, senior year “Sweetheart Prom." We went to Rams games and other school events together and spent every moment we could together; we were “In Love." Later that year, we were engaged to be married.     We are all the result of decisions we make, small and large. I made decisions that took me clear across the United States to Washington D.C. later that year. Tom was on the verge of being drafted, so he joined. We went in different directions. I ended up marrying someone else I had just met in D.C. and broke Tom’s heart. This is a regret that will always be in my heart.   I saw Tom in 1976 when my son was only one. I was living back in St. Louis by then. I was playing Racquetball when he recognized me. I confess that I didn’t know him at first. We talked and caught up a little. He was married with children of his own. I never saw him again after that day. I always hoped to see him at one of our reunions, or at least hear news of him. I never did. I went on the RamSite the other day and checked our departed classmates, and there he was. What a shock. Although I hadn’t seen him in so many years, I was very sad to hear of his passing. He was a gentle soul and always a gentleman to me. “I always thought I would see you again.”  Goodbye My Love, My Friend.