I'm reminded of Vernon Hansen and Buddy Reineke... from Hinsdale where I grew up. They are both at least 15 or more years older than me. Vern was “retarded”... has the mind of a young teen in the body of a 40ish man. He was boisterous and talked loud when he would often visit the various Hinsdale merchants. He was welcomed though soon gently ushered out the door because of his loud endless talking. He was a huge imposing presence, often inappropriately hitting on young teen girls.

One day Vern came to my Moss Hill Natural Foods store in the heat of a mid 1970's Summer. It was more hot inside than outside as the compressors of the refrigeration units spilled heat into the still air in my store. Vern asked for a cup of water and we sat together in the hot back room.

As Vern wiped sweat from his brow and drank water, he looked me straight in the eye and in a moment of inexplicable clarity, with calm controlled convincing voice, said "you know sometimes John, I get so tired".

Eye contact with Vern at that moment amazed me. I heard the real person inside the man. It was incredible and gives me goose bumps to remember it.

Buddy Reneike was probably Vern's age and another Hinsdale character... He walked with an odd gait due to one leg shorter than the other or some other crippling issue. Buddy was shorter than Vern.  He always wore a white apron from the butcher department of the corner grocery his family owned. These were dwindling days of the time when local merchants flourished in suburban towns. Local grocery delivery, fresh produce, meats, and deli were sought locally not yet from the big supermarkets  Hinsdale was such a lovely classic small town where residents supported local merchants like it was in the day of our parents.

Buddy was a displaced character like Vernon and accepted into the community as one of it's own. Though obviously mentally impaired, Buddy had a perpetual smile.  He couldn't speak well, struggling through stutter, Buddy was always upbeat offering help to carry groceries to one's car or simply offer a “Hi boy” with a smile while passing on the sidewalk.

This was community in the best sense. I loved growing up in this town!

While in my mid 20's I had an astonishing dream. There is a park between the train station and the library. My friends and I would often toss the Frisbee in that park. In the dream... it was daytime, about 4:00 pm, a HUGE flying saucer appeared coming from the East.  It's shadow cast over the entire park. 

Hovering about 100 feet above the ground a growing crowd of trembling Hinsdale residents gathered beneath the ship as if "called" to assembly.  The saucer soon descended to 10 feet above the ground and in classic "Day the Earth Stood Still" flying saucer fashion, a stairway ramp descended to the ground. Everyone present was totally dumbstruck.

I watched as Vern and Buddy walked from out of the numb crowd to meet at the left and right of the space ship's stairs. They were dressed in sharp black jackets, crisply pressed black slacks and white shirts with colorful ties.

In total command of the situation, Vern and Buddy calmly instructed those present to not be afraid and to walk up the stairs into the spaceship.  Vern and Buddy were in charge!  The very one's most of Hinsdale pitied were the most important in that profound traumatic moment.  

I will never forget that dream.

The first will be last and the last will be first.”
 

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