You made the comment you were glad to be part of the 'tribe'. That kinda sums up what we had. We were a bunch of skinny, gangly, big eared kids thrown together during an exciting time in our lives. Thru this website we seem to have picked up where we left off 40 years ago. This has really been great fun remembering the people and memories of the happy days. If the walls of the buildings at Mill and Broadway could talk. Guess Im glad to be part of the 'tribe' too. I am looking forward to a big group hug in Oct. ( Geez, I think I just sounded like Barry Manalow)
I find it facinating how quickly we have all reconnected; for lack of a better term. I do not do facebook, or my space, or really any other form of virtual friends, but now I find myself checking this site as soon as I get up. In between tasks at work, when I get home and before I go to sleep.
I didn't think I was lonely. I have lots of friends and a full life but this is different. Gail and I were talking last night. It is therapeutic in some way. And comforting to know you are all out there with open arms and hearts.
I think when you said a bunch of skinny gangly kids. (Of course us girls never felt skinny.) I think you epitomized what that time in life means to humans. It is when we are sorting out who we are and what you want to be. Struggling to be in the front of the pack. Dealing with parents that may or may not be struggling themselves. Not being tall enough, having acne, or big ears. Not cute enough not 'man' enough. Not to mention the societal changes that were kicking into warp speed at that particular time. Going from Leave it to Beaver to Woodstock and beyond.
However, we all supported each other in some way through all that.
Now we are what we are going to be, for the most part.. We have done well ... or not. We are comfortable in our own skins but.... there is just a little bit of that unfinished business or words that were never said, whatever it is, that makes this so intriguing.
Looking forward to that big 'ole bear hug. And reuniting with everyone else.
Me 2. I am surprised at myself for loving this site and really enjoying our chatter. It is great to feel the deep sense of caring I have for all of you. What a great opportunity for me to get to connect with you all as adults, instead of the frightened, insecure teenager who did not know how to engage with people. It is so much fun now.
I love all you goof balls. It is so important to me to have fun and not take myself seriously. We are all lucky to still be alive and have brains to tease each other.
Well said, Vicki and Gail and Jerry and others -- I totally agree!
I think this is so neat to be able to talk like this now because we didn't have the internet in HS ......... everyone can communicate at the same time. Back then, it was manual typewriters, then electric or write everything out by hand .....
I, too, think that having the internet has been crucial in the arc we've been making a a group. This feeling of belonging may be a fresh feeling for some of us, myself included.
I spoke with my younger sister today about what is going on here at our website, and she told me about a study conducted by some social scientists. They concluded that the difference between pleasure and happiness is meaning. It's only when something means something to you that it makes you happy. Pleasure is fleeting, but happiness endures.
I like what you said, Phyllis and I think we were all so tied up with getting the grades or getting to the games, etc. that we really didn't take time at that point to get to know each other on a deeper level. I think now we realize what we missed in not taking that time. How cool is it to be able to go back and grab that time and try to make up for it -- almost re-invent it. ha!
I always noticed the things that you did in school and respected you for them.
Carol
Who was that typing teacher? I never understood why I had to take typing if I was going to be a Veterinarian!
So glad I did. It may not show but I learned that well.
Gail said she was always looking at the 'cute' guy in class and didn't learn. But she does well on the computer.
Also didn't understand why I had to take Algebra. Now with P&L's. Get it!
Do you mean MaryLou Myers or the guy we had in the lower grades? We even had to take shorthand of all things then. I did use it at my first job though.
What are you doing now? I sent you a note on one of the threads asking you about it, but don't think you got it. The pics. are great. You look like you're having a good time. Are you in the medical field and in what area? I've worked many diff. areas and didn't become a nurse until 37 years old with 4 kids. lol! Plenty of prior experience. Your granddaughter looks cute in the pic. Bet she's lots of fun. We do ride horses out here in Buckeye too, but I haven't riden in years.
Take care ~
Carol
Phyllis,
You have always been so amazing with words. I always felt so inadequate compared to you and your talents. Now, you have written a novel! That does not surprise me. I always admired your ability to be so colorful and to speak your mind. I remember a time when you were defending Joanne. Some stupid idiot guy had made some remark about her and you lit into him with a vengence. I was so impressed and envied your 'sister' relationship. I have never forgotten that episode. I love that kind of passion. I grew up in a family in which emotions, except anger, were considered a weakness. It has taken me a long time to learn that my emotions are valid and make me who I am.
I so look forward to connecting with you at the reunion. Keep encouraging Joanne to attend. I would love to connect with her, too. I admired and enjoyed her in high school. I remember she had a cute sense of humor.
The picture you posted of you and she on the ranch was priceless. Oh, youth!
Thanks for your kind words, Gail. I have no memory of the instance you describe, but I know I stuck up for Joanne many times. Joanne is still sweet, but she was hit in the head in 1973 and developed epilepsy. It's not that she has a lot of seizures, but she lives with limiations that most of us will never know.
I was never impressed with my way with words. In fact, in the jr. and senior accelerated english class, I was one of many and I felt I must be close to the bottom of the group. The really creative people were Pete Shelton, Boyer Rickel, Tottie Schultz, Julie Phillips and Steve White. I felt like an 'also ran' compared to them!
So it's a surprise to hear that you noticed my creativity, but I thank you very much. And if I was intimidating to anybody in any way, it wasn't deliberate. I just didn't know how to be any other way. My mother was the strongest woman I've ever known, and I had to stand up to her or get verbally knocked down. I should also add that mom was a psychologist with a PhD, and she could run verbal rings around anybody.
As for my novel, I can e-mail it to anybody brave enough to want to read it. It is registered with the writer's guild, so I'm not afraid to let it out of my hands. Getting it published is the real job, though. First I have to interest a literary agent, and I have struck out on that front enough that I have set it aside for the moment. But I haven't given up on getting it published! It will come in its own time is all.
I appreciate the support from you, Gail, and Vicki, Carol and Diane, etc. It has given my heart a good feeling.
