“These are the friends you should have had” that is what my husband said to me. I recently went to dinner with the North Knox High School class of 1979, ladies only – girl’s night out. It was fun, sitting and talking about things in the past, but my past with these wonderful gals does not go back as far.
I grew up in the military; I went to 22 schools from kindergarten to twelfth grade. I used to think how lucky I was to travel and see so many places. That was until the other night when I sat and listened about them playing softball in third grade and teachers that they loved and hated. I don’t have those memories; I can’t even tell you the name of any of my third grade teachers let alone the kids I went to school with. My school memories are pretty limited.
I am grateful to this group of friends who have embraced me and include me in get-togethers; especially since I did not even get to graduate from North Knox. I went to Lincoln my last year of high school for an hour a day and then went on to Vincennes University for the rest of the day. In a hurry to get on with life, now I wish I would have just stayed put and stayed with my friends. I can’t even tell you anyone’s name from Lincoln, have never been included in a single class reunion, and did not go to the prom or the senior breakfast. No memories at all of Lincoln High School at all.
I told my husband how much fun I had with this group of friends and how I wish I had more memories with them, that I feel like a part of them and that is when he said “these are the friends you should have had” and he is right. I should have a lifetime of memories with them instead of a few short years here and there.
I started kindergarten in Bicknell, Indiana and throughout the years would return home for visits and sometimes attended school for a few months but I missed all the days, weeks and years in between with my friends.
Thank you for including me and I hope we have a lifetime of memories to make together. Finally, I am at home and feel that I am rooted in Knox County – and I like that way.
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