The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Mr. Garrett,
I don’t think that my wife, Lee, and I are too old. We try to keep up with what goes on around us and we know times change and with the times the way people do things.
Lee and I agree in our feelings that many of those far younger than us are missing out on romance. I don’t mean just teenagers, but those in their 20s through 50s. A change in social expression and behavior came about in the mid-1960’s. Children through high school age weren’t taught as much as they had been in the past about being ladies and gentlemen, and how to partake of social situations in my opinion. We attend an occasional game at Benicia High School, drive around town, and go on walks.
Young people, it seems strange to write that since I consider Lee and I young. Young people still care for each other, flirt, fall in love, and get married. It’s just different now.
So much of what is missing in the music we hear many of those younger than us listening to now is romance and a story. I honestly think I could write many of the same type of songs which are currently popular. It isn’t hard to write the same line over and over.
“Love is a Many Splendored Thing” is an example of a song of love and romance. I bet if more young people discover some of the music of the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s, they would love it. There were so many great songs and great artists then.
Maybe my ears are far more gone than I think, but often when I hear some of the modern music I can’t understand what is being sung. It isn’t just the words themselves but knowledge of the word usage.
I also don’t see how much dancing can be done with most modern music. I don’t recall hearing anything to “slow dance” or waltz to. I can stand and hold my wife as we dance with each others heart, but that wouldn’t be interpreted as sock-hop, social, or ballroom dancing.
Things are cyclical, though. In time more people will come back to revisit more songs, manners, dance, and romance of other times. I see some of it now-and-then.
I got a laugh one day when a young lady listened to a song played at our home. She said how nice the song was and how romantic. She asked if it was from a new artist’s CD. I told her it had been a hit in every decade since the 1940s. If something is good, it lasts. It may be forgotten for awhile, or pushed to the background, but it will come back. As for a song, it may not be in the same arrangement but it will return.
Romance is here and love is here in Benicia. There are just adaptations, like happens at times with songs. I do admit I am nostalgic for some other times, songs, and customs.
Robert

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love”, “The Mansion Stories”, “Chief Salt”, and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.”
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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