G3

In 2004 one of my close childhood friends had been diagnosed with cancer.  Of all of my old friends, Craig was one of the healthiest of them all.  He had played college football and had a shot at the NFL. He had become a successful businessman, but never forgot his roots.  Many of our old friends lived in the Houston area and would meet regularly for lunch.  As his disease progressed more began to rally around Craig, helping out in whatever ways we could.  He fought as hard as anyone could, but eventually lost the big fight. 

Sadden by our loss one friend, Bob Jantz,  suggested that we not wait until the next one gets sick to share this fellowship.  As a result Bob, Bob Katz and I got together to follow through with the idea.
We developed some ground rules and identified people we would like to include.  We communicated our idea and extended invitations to others to participate.  About 15 high school classmates "signed on" and we had our first retreat at my beach house the next year.

The Original G3

Every year someone volunteers to host our "git together".  The location and arrangements are at the discretion of the host.  We have been to Crystal Beach, Galveston, East Texas, Bandera, Canyon Lake, Fredericksburg, Corpus Christi, Beaumont and New Orleans.  Next year is scheduled for Kemah. 

We usually have 10 to 12 attend.  Most of the group is now retired.  All have been successful and some would even be considered "deplorables".  We have engineers, accountants, salesmen, journeymen craftsmen, soldiers and lawyers.  No doctors, but one does have a PhD. Texas is their dominate home.  Over their careers they have lived in New Jersey, Illinois, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, Georgia, Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana, England, Africa and other locations I am probably overlooking. 

The meetings usually begin on Thursday and end after Sunday breakfast.  Over the past 12 years we have participated in numerous activities.  We have attended rodeos, museums, Jazz festivals, concerts, honky tonks, gun ranges, wineries, dog track and a bourbon distiller.

 
In addition, we have been fishing, played golf, went horse back riding, boating, kayaking and jet skiing.   We have boiled shrimp and crawfish. Played poker and invented competitive games of skill.  Drank a few beers.  Eaten copious amounts of junk food and visited many restaurants. And, paid a surprise visit to an old high school friend.

 But, mainly we talk.  A lot of reminiscing.  A lot of philosophizing. A lot exchanging of ideas.
And, a lot of discussion about medical issues.  We talk about recent surgeries, physical ailments and medications.  Although cars are still a popular topic girls rarely come up anymore.  Age is creeping up on this bunch of once "Alpha Males"   Since the group was founded we have lost two of the original members.  All of us have some ailments, some serious and some are just what goes with the territory.

One of the original goals was to provide emotional, spiritual and physical support to each other as well as other class members.  Each year we review what was done and what we can do to help where we can. 

These retreats are looked forward to each year.  It has provided an opportunity to link back up with those we knew in our formative years.  Although we don't all agree politically, we all share similar values, work ethics and a sense of responsibility.  We were all raised by parents of the "Greatest Generation".  As Richard Petty once said, "Don't Forget Your Upbringing", we get to revisit that every Spring. 

Next year it's the Car Show in Kemah.  Stay tuned.