I don't know what it is about 35, that makes 15 look like half a life away. And cleverly preserve, in entirety, some memories that make yesterday a distant past.

One of these memories was of Joe at our school. Good ol' Joe.

He was the first guy we went to when we got hurt. You know. Kids at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 can be dangerous. Running around all over the place. Knocking a chair - or another kid - here, banging against a sharp desk there, generally having fights. Hey, that seat on the slope was mine you duffer. I'm gonna grab your sleeve and give you one jhaap.

And so whenever we used to get hurt, we used to run to Joe. You know. Apna bacha party, snot-filled noses, bloodied shirts, hands, cuts, bruises. All smiling happily. It hurts man, but its fun.

Not something you look upon kindly when you're 35. Like I am. But at 15, who cares? Like I didn't. Like all of us lads at St. Stanislaus didn't.

Because Joe was there. Ready with that tincture. Oh, is that what that red thing is called? Or is it purple? Man, it sure looks cool. Gimme some of that on my elbow. Or my knee. Whoa..doesn't hurt so much now does it? Good ol' Joe. He's always there. Just outside the principal's office.

Just before the principal whacks our hands and ass and make us kneel forever because we were fighting in class over that scented eraser. Or that Star Wars notebook. Heck, at least Joe'll rub that red stuff on your cuts and stuff. Ya, Joe, he's always around.

Not any more.

Joe passed away yesterday. More here, and an extract from our alumni website.

This was the Class of XI-A, in 1985 or 1986.

In the centre of the bottom row, that's Father Joe D'Abreo. Interestingly enough, he was actually standing in for Teacher Mercy (our class teacher) who had already left the school after - I think - relocating overseas. Class XI-A was arguably the best of the batch of 1987. These students include almost all the toppers of that year as well as most of the house captains. And yes, they also include most of the back-benchers..including yours truly. A lot of these lads are now overseas, some have become CEOs, some are on their way to. I am proud to have been part of this batch. Very nostalgic photo that is now more than 20 years old. Natus Ad Majora.

I think this effort is brilliant and my thanks to those behind this idea.