Looking at today’s date, I am reminded that it is the birthday of a high school friend. That in itself is not unusual but what is perhaps a bit out of the ordinary is that I haven’t seen that friend or spoken to her since my high school senior year (I graduated in 1974 so it’s been awhile!).
Kathy was on the school newspaper staff and was the editor the year before I was editor. I knew her from other classes, too. I have a vague recollection that she was in my P.E. class more than once. She had a friend named Pat. The two were inseparable. When they graduated, they returned to visit us on the school newspaper staff once or twice. The last time I saw Kathy, she spoke of beginning a nursing program at a vocational school. I never heard from her after that and because so many women use a spouse’s last name, it’s difficult to find her. I’ve searched classmates.com (which by the way, is a big rip off; don’t go there!) and facebook, as well as the school’s alumni site. No trace of her.
I often get these flashes from another time. I used to have a very good memory. That was before kids. Before aging. Before the stroke I had in 2006. These days I seem to remember things from other times and other places but not so much the things I should remember, like what happened yesterday or last week. If you knew me before I had my first child in 1982, chances are I will remember your birthday and think of you on that day each year. I may even remember your phone number, even though I haven’t called it in over 35 years!
Such are the mysteries of the mind. At least of mine.
