Sunday, October 7, 2018

A Trip to Memory Lane

A trip planned in March has had me out of town since Thursday.
It has come at a good time. This much needed break to clear my head and recharge is a dog-less trip down memory lane.
Yesterday morning I stood in front of my high school and was taken back nearly 40 years to an age of innocence and a world so much different than the one I know today. Around me old and new friends from that time.  It's easy to see that we are a pretty diverse crowd. Life has taken us in so many directions.
~Fort Knox High School~
But at the time we attended Fort Knox High School, (in Kentucky) we all had one thing in common, our Dad's were in the Army.
I suppose at times like this it is only natural to rummage around in ancient memory and recall events and classmates and the journey to adulthood that is high school and is so full of first-time experiences.
~The United States Bullion Depository, or the Gold Vault, what Fort Knox is famous for~
To say our class has experienced change is understated. We did not imagine a world where we would carry a phone in our pockets, and connect on something called "social media."

For a lot of us, we've not been back to Fort Knox for many years.  I was lucky in that a friend of mine who used to live down the street from me still lives in the area and works on post.  She gave me a great tour of Fort Knox and was able to show and tell me all about what has changed, and what hasn't.
~Our house hasn't changed at all, at least not on the outside~
And talk about change, this weekend I've seen lots of gray hair and waistlines that have expanded. Of course my classmates looked at me and saw the same thing. But despite those outer changes I also saw football players, cheerleaders, fellow band members, and even "that girl" who bullied a few of us. I wonder if she remembers that?
~The fire-station nearby across the street that we used to go and buy a soda and candy bar for 25 cents!~
I guess it's a reminder that maybe we can’t really go home again - There are some that say you shouldn’t live in the past. I suppose that's a good rule to live by for the most part.
~The movie theater near our 'housing area' that I spent lots of Saturday's~ 
But for this weekend, and for this class reunion, that phrase was tossed out the window, as we remembered those good times and shared a weekend with friends and classmates from long ago. I'm especially glad I was able to come and spend time with a friend who I've stayed in contact with for more than 40 years. She is a true connection to my past, and I treasure our friendship.
~This seemed like such a steep hill to ride our bikes down. It doesn't seem that steep any more~

Today I said good-bye to those classmates, and had a really nice visit with family that still lives in the area. On Monday it'll be time to head home and back to my life.  I miss the dogs.

17 comments:

  1. I have enjoyed my reunion gatherings . . ,
    Happy you did too.
    Did you take a group pic?

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  2. Nice that you were able to get away. Life changes with time, but it is still enjoyable to go back in time even if only for a few days.

    Thank you for your kind words for Lightning. He is hanging in there. We think it is harder on Mom in many ways as she has to work hard to keep him rested.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  3. I have never been back to a class reunion. I grew up in California but moved to Idaho when I was 18. I sometimes wonder about some of my old classmates
    hugs
    Hazel & Mabel's Mom

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  4. I'm so glad you had a chance to do it. :)

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  5. I always enjoy taking trips with you. like Monk... I'm glad you got to go to your reunion trip too. xo

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  6. Hello, I am glad you were able to go to your 40th school reunion. Looks like you had a nice trip and tour of Fort Knox. The reunion usually bring back many happy memories. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!

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  7. Replies
    1. Confession time....YES I was and still am I guess! ☺️

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  8. I haven't been back to my home town in a very long time. I'm glad that you did... it sounds as if it was a perfect event for resetting after what you've been through. I'm sure that you miss the dogs, and I bet that they miss you too!

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  9. I only see one old friend and elementary school classmate when I go back home. We've been friends for 72 years!! I wonder what it would be like to see my high school class mates again. I know this must have been a fun and good break for you.

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  10. Recharging is so good a thing to do Kim
    love
    tweedles

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  11. Looks like fun! Living in the past and visiting the past are two very different things - I think you just visited and were able to look back fondly on it. I sometimes think, did I really leave those people behind almost 40 years ago??? Time flies! I bet the dogs missed you too!

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  12. This past weekend was MY 40-year reunion, too! Another gathering of Army brats, except we graduated in Germany from a school (at an installation) that no longer exists. Lots of fun, old stories, and new friends. I'm glad to hear that you had such a good time.

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  13. KIM,
    You definitely needed this break to recharge,sans dogs considering the highly emotional time of late. I agree that there is a difference in living in the past and visiting the past. And i'm not so sure that it is such a bad thing to live in the past every once in a while. After all, those past days are the fabric of our lives and make us who we are.
    I enjoyed hearing about your trip including your visit with your family.
    Eva was a lovely lady. So very sorry for your loss.
    Hoping life is being good to you.
    Gus' Mom

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  14. I have never been back to a class reunion. I grew up in California but moved to Idaho when I was 18. I sometimes wonder about some of my old classmates
    slot online

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  15. So glad you got some time off. You have had a rough time lately. Been thinking of you.

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  16. It's always great to take some time to yourself and enjoy a great day of wonderful memories. Now we want to do something like this and go see where we lived at before and see if there is stuff still there from when we were kids. Thanks for the share. Have a great day.
    World of Animals

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!