🚀 go-pugleaf

I had a dream last night.  It was about the first girl I ever kissed.

I was15.  She was a mere 13.  It was summer of 1977 at the Jersey Shore.
I remember the night, because it was only two days after the day Elvis died.
It was August 18, just six days shy of my 16th birthday.
Her name was Karen.  I never did know her last name, which would make her
remarkably easier to track down.  Her cousin's name was John, last name also
unknown.  I seem to remember his name being of Irish or Scottish origin,
however.  We acquired a friend, Sue Cioban, who had taken a real liking to
John.  They shared the night, along with Karen and me, on the beach in North
Lavallette.   And last, but not least, was Karen's little brother, Scott.
He
was there, but not as intrusive as some little brothers can be.

A couple of days was really all we had.  It's amazing how, especially at
that point in your life, that's all the time it takes to change things
forever.
You never really see things the same way again.  For kids younger than the
driving age, there aren't a lot of options.  People rent houses at the shore
and come from all over to spend a couple of weeks.  Then, they go home.
Sometimes, they return the following year.  That was the case here.

In summer of 1978, I was at home with my parents when my grandparents called
from the shore saying that Karen and John had been at their house and had
been asking about me.  Since Karen and I had left things up in the air last
summer, we had no plans to meet.  Needless to say, her visit at my
grandparents sent a shockwave through me.  When the girl who gave you your
first kiss calls, you answer.  This time, I headed for the shore with a
couple of friends from home, Rob and Rich.  I had told them all about Karen
after the previous summer.

I had received directions to the house where John, Karen and the rest of the
family were staying that summer.  They had rented a house at nearby Chadwick
Beach.  Then came the epipheny.  Karen had left a note mentioning that their
house was right on Barnegat Bay.  My cousin had a boat which she almost
never
used docked across the street from my grandparents' house.  I would surprise
Karen and arrive that summer by boat.  Once I knew exactly where she was
staying, and how to locate that point from the water, I was ready to go.

Rob and I ventured out by car to find the house the day before the boat
ride.
When we arrived, I was as surprised to see Karen as she was to see me.
Even though I had planned the whole thing, when the moment came, the
previous
summer came rushing back and the old feelings with it.  We hugged, said a
brief hello to her family, loaded John aboard, and took off on a ride around
Barnegat Bay.  I remember Karen sitting on my lap as I drove.  I thought I
would never be as thrilled as I was then.  That's when time stops.  That's
when your mind freezes everything for later retrieval.  Selective memory, I
think they call it.

Rob and I had a previous commitment at home that summer which forced a
shortlived visit with Karen.  Riding home, I had a pit in my stomach.  I
suppose it's not unlike most people's experience with a first love.  That
doesn't make it any easier at the time, though.  I never saw or heard from
Karen again.

When I had my dream last night, it brought back old feelings.  I've often
thought about Karen, wondering what exactly happened to her, what paths her
life may have taken.  I often had the feeling that my feelings for her
weren't reciprocated.  We were so young at the time, but, still, you seem to

know your feelings visavis someone elses.  You can just tell.  I thought
perhaps she was fond of me, but not in love.

What I'd like to know, however, is what she's doing right now.  Does she
have a family?  Where does she live?  Is she happy?

I'm writing this not to obsess or reinvent something which never was.  It's
just a curiosity.

Here's what I can tell you about Karen:

She lived in Stirling, NJ when I knew her.
Her last name was something Polish.
She had brown hair and hazel/green eyes.
There was a slight possibility of her moving to California.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please RSVP.  I would truly
appreciate knowing what happened to her and what she's doing.

Thanks in advance.