A little over thirty years ago I missed the first day of school in Roblin. Instead I went to Winnipeg and to the concert of one of my favourite bands at the time, Bachman Turner Overdrive. The day before school was to start BTO was Taking Care of Business at the old Winnipeg Arena and I was there, taking in what was really my first concert (unless you count Roy Orbison or the Stampeders in Yorkton but my parents were there so that really shouldn’t count).
So the day I was to start school that year found me at the Bus Depot in Winnipeg, waiting to board the bus for the six hour trip back home. As luck would have it there was a very pretty girl waiting at the bus depot, and it turned out that she was on the same bus I was taking.
As it turned out, she was a new class mate, new to Roblin and our school. She also had been to the concert, missing class. Had I known that long bus ride might have been passed much more pleasantly in conversation, instead of with me stealing glances at her for six hours. Well maybe not, my insecurities probably would have prevented that from happening.
We finished High School together, and the night of our graduation, when the lights went out at the house we were celebrating in, we stole a very sweet kiss. And I’d like to say that I overcame my awkardness and that the kiss led to something more, but alas I didn’t. We never kissed again.
In the run up to my Thirty Year highschool reunion (incredibly I graduated at the age of one), one of my classmates, set up a blog to use as a kind of messageboard. When I visited it a couple of days ago I was shocked to learn that the Girl at the Bus Depot has just been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gerhig’s Disease). As I told her in an email ALS would be one of my darkest fears (only somewhat mitigated by the fact that it often leaves the intellect intact, witness Stephen Hawking) and that I was at a loss to say something that didn’t sound trite or forced. She, of course, sounds upbeat and positive, which of course is in keeping with who she is.
So it appears as though we are both going to miss our reunion. I’ll probably miss it because of the demands of the B&B and the prohibitive expense of flying out of here. She might miss it because she has things to do and places to see. It might be just as well. We are of course both married, what would happen if the lights went out?
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Clare, when I went to my highschool reunion one of the nicest moments was when a man walked up to me and said, “You’re Anita Stampe,” and I said, “Craig Nelson! But how did you know me?” and he said, “I recognized your eyes.”
When I was in Grade 10, Craig Nelson was in Grade 12. At a party (one of the very few this shy girl went to), I sat beside him on a picnic bench and chatted about this and that, and developed a mad crush, which I held on to, though I never spoke to him again.
I was totally impressed that he recognized me…by my eyes!
Anyhoo, as if immediately realizing that what he said must have sounded like a pick-up line, he began chatting in a rush about his wife and kids.
I am so sorry to hear about the struggles of your old classmate.
There but for the grace of God…
Wouldn’t it be nice if someone blogged the reunion for those of us who can’t attend? A few pics, a few video clips — voila, a virtual reunion (c:
Perhaps I’ll do that for my 20th in a few years.
What a sweet remembrance, Clare. I love Amy’s idea of blogging the reunion with video clips and photos. That would be so great for all the folks who can’t make it.
A few years ago an old high school buddy, who I had not seen since 1970, found me on the internet. She and I corresponded for a while, and I mentioned to her that I didn’t have a copy of our high school yearbook. She photocopied the whole thing for me and mailed it. No small task either, there were over 700 students in the graduating class! I loved looking at that book. I saw faces I had not thought of in over 30 years.
I still have one of BTO’s eight track tapes. I wish for the best for your former classmate. I like visiting classmates.com & reunion.com to see who from the old school has visited and what they have or haven’t become.
Now I am humbled by your story of the girl on the bus. I tell people that story and you were my introduction to RRI(just cannot say Goose Lake High) on that 2nd first day of school. When I reflect on your story I wish we knew then what we knew now and what we would become capable of. No one really expected much from blode hair browned eyed girls with big other parts. No one focus the importantce of meaningful conversation and god forbit a political opinion. I know know we can continue to love each other for our minds. I remain well and ever hopeful. you have an amazing gift for brining out the best in those around you. I still love BTO.
Kathy