At the Bus Stop

Though yellowed and coffee stained, behind these doors in the picture, it began for many beginning their college experience in theater. One autumn evening in 1973, I found a seat on the portable bleachers, first seat on the left and second row from the top, in front of a make shift stage waiting to audition for my first play. Once known as Thornton Community College and now South Suburban College. The director stood on the floor below, tall and excited for new beginners to try out for his play, I had never auditioned. I don't remember the lines that I read when called but I do remember my fear and the attractive woman who sat behind me.

I turned and she smiled, commenting that this was her first experience too. I was only eighteen but she seemed to amass experience, intelligence and confidence only second to her gracious beauty. We were both cast in our first play, Bus Stop, as well as becoming leading ladies in a cherished friendship that would last over 40 years.

After graduating from Thornton Community College as a single mother to Kamie and a legal secretary full time, Carmella Lofrano Braico continued on with her education, studying theology in St Louis and Elmhurst College, becoming an ordained pastor for the United Church of Christ. Along with her impassioned sermons, she developed successful programs in singles and youth ministries. Carmella was actively involved in many organizations as chairperson , obtained a Lincoln Scholar in the early years and awarded Who's Who in American Colleges and Notable Woman.

As Senior Pastor of a congregation in Illinois, she helped officiate my wedding but retired in 1993.

For over 23 years she has had to follow a different road; an ongoing path of health challenges when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. With the help of her family, Kamie, who married and raised Carmella's grandchildren she is surrounded by those that need her now. And through it all, she has courageously developed an enlightened career as a mother, grandmother , writer and artist.

However, though her health insurance has covered many of the complications due to Multiple Sclerosis, she has lost most of her teeth and in serious need of dental surgery. Her granddaughter has started a fundraiser in her honor to help raise money for her much needed surgery. Please click on her site at Go Fund Me to find out more how you can help.

At the Bus Stop diner in our play, she was Grace and I was her young, inexperienced, hyper employee, Alma, running to her with my problems, my anger, my emotions. I never had to explain because she always understood, always supported with exceptional knowledge and without judgment. We play the same roles today.

Beyond social media, every month Carmella and I still sit at our favorite Bus Stop diner today; sharing the past, the present, our laughter and, of course, our love. She defines the true meaning of being my friend. Hopefully, that can continue for many days to come.