Memorial For Those Now Gone

In conjunction with Memorial Day and our approaching 40th reunion, I thought it was time to remember those who started with us but are now gone.  They are missed and will always have a place in our hearts.

Remember When

A friend of mine used to say, "How would you like to own a ton of stock in a slide rule company when the calculator came along?"  Things change quick and become taken for granted, but at the time they were a big deal, huh?  We've talked about a lot of the major changes, but remember....

Coke in small bottles?
The first single wrapped slice of cheese?
Cheese in a can?
Sandwich bags, then..
Zip lock sandwich bags?
Twist ties on sandwich bread (we always called it light bread )?
Pull tabs on soda and beer cans?
Disposable lighters?
Disposable razors?
Disposable diapers?
When gas first went to 50 cents?
Bucket seats were an option in some cars?
When Interstate 75 used to stop at Lenoir City?
When there was no Interstate 75 at all?
Boys never wore jeans to church or school?
Girls always wore dresses to church and school?
Hushpuppy shoes came and went?
Hang Ten shirts came and went?
There was a Lenoir City Banner?
Members Only jackets came and went?

And a whole host of others.  We've seen a lot in almost 60 years haven't we?

Puberty Was Hell

I've probably mentioned this a few times, but bear with me, I'm getting to where my mind is slipping and I'm too lazy to look back at the posts.  Puberty was hell.  I think it started around the 5th or 6th grade, give or take a semester.  You know, when your friends asked you, "Who's your girlfriend?", and you answer Mary or Peggy or Linda or Patsy or whoever else might be catching your attention that week.  The thing is Mary or Peggy or none of those other girls knew a thing about it because you're not going to say anything to them, right?

One of these days I want to ask one of the ladies how it was from their side, because from mine it was pretty mixed up.

Anyway, you mooned over her, trying to convince yourself that she would be the one, you were sure of it.  All she had to do was fall into your arms, which obviously never happened.  Especially since she didn't know a thing about it and even if she did, you wer so far under her radar she rarely notices you at all.

Ever notice that?  Most moony eyed guys went after the prettiest, most popular girl in school.  The one that logically they would have the least chance of ever being seen with.  Why is that?  The fear of rejection so strong they went where  they were sure to get it quickest?  How many movies did you watch where you were the hero and she was the leading lady?  The same with books, you were the hero and she was your main squeeze.

What brings me to all this, is that would you even dare tell her now that you had a crush on her in the 6th or 7th or 8th or (fill in the blank) grade?  There you go, tempting the gods of puberty again.  One last rejection before you ride of into the sunset.  As for me, I'm not going to say a word.  Those memories are as sweet to me as my first time of catching a trophy sized fish or jumping off a rope swing into the deepest part of rhe river or driving your very first car on your very first date.  After all, she's still not going to say those magic words... "You did?  I had one on you too."

Let it All Hang Out

As I've said before, I've heard Sylvia, Donna, Brenda, Kathey and Pat say how much fun it was to get together and laugh and remember.  I've also had Brenda tell me that at the meetings they have laughed so hard.  Laughing when they're actually working to put this reunion together.  Imagine that.

I've also heard many people say our 20th reunion was the best, and I totally agree.  There were a lot of people, some I hadn't seen since we graduated, and not once did I hear anybody talking about their job or their car or any other possession.  I only heard them talk about how much fun it was and how good it was to see everyone.

The reason for all this is obvious, or at least it is to me.  Contrary to what we might think or do on a daily basis, it doesn't take long to look at some of those familiar faces and forget about everything else, if only for a few hours.  As my oldest son used to say when he was a teenager, "I'm psyched".  I can't wait to see everyone who's going to be there. 

If it's five or a hundred and five, I don't care -- although the more the merrier.  Because I think it's time we let our hair down and have a great big time.  We couldn't party back then the way the kids can now.  Going to the Bahamas on a senior trip? Are you kidding me!?  Can you imagine Edward Watson or Steve Knox or Wayne Poole in the Bahamas?  We're talking some serious fun here.

Okay, so we couldn't go there.  We can make up for it now.  We can talk, laugh, dance, laugh, sing, laugh, throw down a few drinks, and laugh some more.  I'm getting more ready every day.  It's time we let it all hang out.  We are way overdue.