Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Knocking it down!

I went to High School for three years in California. Then, a combination of events led me to move out of my parent's house. Destiny led me to another state. My senior year--I was the new kid. But it was meant to be. At my new school, OHS, I met one of my best friends, Tanya.
We were both trying out for a play, which is odd because I was not much into drama and neither was she. What she's amazing at is singing. And my skill consisted of rudimentary tap dance and a steady nerve in the face of stage fright.Anyway, we got to talking and I found out that she was from my hometown back in California and that our parents knew each other. They had moved away when we were both still little. And just like that--we were BFFs.
Our paths crossed all those years later at pivotal points in out lives. A fork in the road. She was just wild enough to accept the new girl --who didn't quite fit in to the ultra conservative school. And I was just grounded enough that somehow she found some anchor in me.
We became inseparable; friends, sisters, confidants and--dang we had fun! When I needed her most... she was also there to say the hard things and straighten me out. I am forever grateful for that.
We heard that OHS will be knocked down this summer. The place we met, and where our lives were changed by one another.
So, as adults we went back together. Roaming the old halls and reminiscing was surreal. I thought I should have remembered it better. . . but I mostly remembered just a handful of people.We looked our last look, sang the corny old fight song and told the school goodbye while our husbands and kids tagged along, peering into a past they didn't share.
Just another reminder of the obvious--that places are disposable. The attachment we feel to them is only a refelction of the feelings we had there and our feelings are most affected by the people. So knock down the old builing if you must-- I already got what I needed from that place. And she isn't going anywhere.

6 comments:

Mark and Kiss said...

Oh my gosh!!! I love it! A tribute to friendship could not have been put better. Good times Jo, what a fun stroll down memory lane that must have been. We should do high school reunions at the school gym instead of some dumb hotel, ha ha ha, it would be a lot more fun.

MJ said...

I loved this. Best Friends are...well...the best. Plus, your friend can sing like no tomorrow, which is an added bonus.

Marmie said...

Beautifully put--you have such a way with words.

Marmie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathryn Packer Roberts said...

Great post. I can relate entirely. My old High School was knocked down as well. The place where I really knew I wanted to become a writer.

Single and Sane said...

How amazing that you two found each other!

My high school is still there, but even so, memories of the building have faded, only to be replaced by friendships that have become stronger over time. High school becomes a much better experience long after we've left it behind!