Recently, I was introduced to the show, "Red Oaks." A brilliant (albeit short-lived) creation set in the mid-80s following the trials and tribulations of David Meyers (Craig Roberts), a college-aged modern-day Benjamin Braddock who is trying to navigate that transitory stage of life going from kid to adult. Whether it be his dating life, career choices, or family drama, we watch David find his way (sometimes clumsily, sometimes accidentally, and sometimes expertly).
The show hits home on so many different levels.
I worked at the Beloit Country Club from 1985-1987.
One of my best friends was Mark, the Tennis Pro.
My Mom and Dad were divorced and I lived primarily with my Dad.
We had "employee" days and parties at the Club.
Many nights after hours were spent at the Club pool with Mark, my sister Kelly, and my girlfriend, Wendy (pictured above).
These were Summers of fun. Summers of change. Summers of growth.
I look back fondly on that time. It was the perfect place to experience the life transition we were all going through...from carefree kid to aspiring adult with the world in front of us. We were living life through a microscope as the rest of the world was telling us to look through the telescope.
The show is labeled as a "coming of age" genre. I've never explored that term in real life but it fits.
Looking back, we all came of age...
...in the shadows of the manicured greens and sculpted courts.
Epilogue; I eventually married that girlfriend and she sadly passed away at the age of 41. My sister died at 56. I lost track of Mark. But, I will always have those summers to remember.
