I'M NOT NEEDED

HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS

We do silly things when we’re sick. I woke up half way through Dr. Phil and turned the TV on. I don’t know what any of you think of Dr. Phil. I’m not a fan. I would not see him for counseling and I would definitely not go on national TV to air my dirty laundry. Besides, if I started I would need my own entire 21-episode show

Today’s show had a group of people who had been on a reality show some time back. They were high school classmates. Not all of them liked one another. I am always amazed they can find anyone to be on these shows. Why would anyone want to come on the air 20-years later to complain about what happen in high school? We were all stupid.

I was very shy, or at least felt very shy. Stanley’s church date found me in the library and convinced me to attend a Bible group meeting in a nearby church before school. It took a long time to attend. First I was nervous about meeting a pile (how many make a pile?) of kids I didn’t know and secondly and most importantly I needed to wake 45 minutes earlier. Painful.

This group hooked up with groups from other high schools in the city on Saturday nights. To be honest I don’t know it that was every Saturday night or what. There was some inter school teasing, but the group became my high school salvation — literally. I have no idea that they did any more than tolerate me, but I needed them. I remember they were fun funny and a little crazy. I did not overcome my shyness with them, but I found a place to fit in and be accepted. Sell shoes knocked the shyness out.

The school group I hooked up with had only two (that I remember). I thought of one as a very nice guy, but also a big shot at school. I liked him and at times wanted to be him. I also felt like I was out of his league. The tall thin one because one of my best friends. We ate lunch together most days, he picked me up for activities or just to “cruise” and pick up girls. He was way better than I was/ He was a hoot (do we say that anymore?). I was developing a humorous streak, but he was the best, the clown, the center of attention and a very nice guy. That we were even friend’s is somewhat miraculous, I was never into cars. He drove, I did not. He cared about cars. I saw them only as a way to get around. Of course, I was a senior before I got a car.

He was with me for my first wreck. It was weird. He commented on a draft coming between the front seats of my new (to me) 49 Pontiac as we were driving around on one of the first trips with my car. I briefly glanced down; then there were five bumps. When we got out, the whole right side of my wonderful little car was scrapped, dented and a mess. We looked to find the cars I had hit. We found a few that had the dirt shaken loose at their bumper, but nothing to warrant the damage to my car. We found the car owners of the ones I hit. They would look at my car and then do a double take at their own. The damage was a shock. When we finally left, I spotted a car a block away and a round the corner with a group of guys looking at the left side of their car. They stared at me as I drove by. I don’t know what really happened. I had my car repainted hoping to avoid questions about what happened. That didn’t work.

The group I was with was ordinary kids who just enjoyed having a good time and laughing. I doubt kids would enjoy the parlor games we played in homes. They might have liked going to the drive-ins, dances, and teen hangouts for hamburgers. The first McDonalds in our town had 15¢ burger. We usually got dollars worth. They were little and tasted like cardboards, but they were cheap. I needed the girl I often hung out with after school. She lived only a half block away. Going to her place avoided the parking lot fights and she hooked me into the group. She was the social center and being her friend allowed me to be included. I was not bold enough to do it on my own. We had completely different issues at home, but many similar feelings. She got me though the trough youth years.

There wasn’t one in the group I didn’t like. As in any group I was closer to some than to others. Most of these kids went to the same church. My dad finally agreed to the change of churches. It was a good thing for me.

In college I turned my back on them all. After months of self-isolation, my south city friend came to the shoe store to try and bring me back. It worked. We later left for college in Canada together. That changed my life forever. That was the best thing that every happened to me. Thank you all.

I know many that had lonely and isolated teen years. But my friends were my survival. And there are many more than I those referred to in the blog. I thank God for those who pulled me through my shyness, self-fear, and insecurity. I left at 19 so most never got to see me as a confident adult. But whether they got to see it our not, I’m grateful for the influence of all.

FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS TO ANY OF THE HIGH SCHHOL GANG YOU KNOW. I HAVE CONTACT WITH ONLY ABOUT FIVE.