I've been in one place long enough to see the evolution of those around me. That's significant, because we led such a nomadic lifestyle when I was growing up.
Of course I have to thank Facebook for this wonderful magic.
I wouldn't know a thing about these people from the past if it weren't for Facebook.
First, I must say, Brandy and RJ have not changed. Not. One. Bit.
I changed. Out of necessity. Old Shawna would have never survived in this world.
Back then people merely made fun of my clothing. Today they'd probably throw stones.
I've seen on Facebook the postings of people who didn't exist back in the 80's and 90's. But they DID exist. They've just changed so much, they've turned into a completely different person!
An atheist drug abuser is now a dedicated and religious mother. "Blessings," is one of her most typical signatures. In fact, she sent me so many religious emails I didn't tell her when my email address changed.
A rowdy, carefree teen with a drinking problem is now a responsible mom with a very busy and successful business. I can't even see a shadow of her former self in her messages she sends.
And on the flip side, and more personal side, a responsible, conservative teen has turned into one of those gals who hooks up with the "bad boys" who not only have a drug issue but they've got LEGAL issues! She's not in Arizona anymore, because she moved out of state to join her new boyfriend who's getting out of prison there.
Remember the movie Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion? If it's ever on your cable channel, watch it. The story is so true. The popular girls ended up as bitter and unattractive gossip queens, and the unpopular kids turned out to be successful, happy, and secure.
OOOh, before I forget--here's a slightly related story. Back in 2000, Steve was getting ready to head to his class's 80th high school reunion (or something like that) He got permission from his boss to fly one of the helicopters there, and got permission from the school to land the helicopter right outside of the reunion.
Yep, he was going to Sandy Frink it. Sandy Frink was a character on the Romy and Michelle movie who landed outside the reunion in his helicopter.
A week before the reunion Steve and his boss crashed a helicopter up in the mountains of Nevada. (I'll have to tell that story sometime)
So, no class reunion. In fact Steve didn't get to even go home for many many months. I'll bet his plants died.
I knew him then, but I wasn't one of his biggest fans.
Back to my point.....
I have a really good memory. The things that I've forgotten are things that have been purged from my brain on purpose, in order to reduce the number of sad days on my calendar.
After attending nine different schools by the age of 12, I'd racked up a lot of memories of school mates and friends and foes at all the different schools.
I remember most of these people as if they were still my next door neighbor.
I remember very well my best buddy from Fort Calhoun Elementary School, Matt Townsley.
After finding him on Facebook, he barely remembers me.
I remember my best buddy from Cash Elementary School, in Cash, Arkansas. He would never remember me. But I remember Jason Hawke.
I remember all the guys I had crushes on. Yes, you, Chad, Rob, Leon, Scott, and David. None of them would remember me. Mostly because I would hide and gaze lovingly upon them as my heart ached. I was the weird girl with pink courderoy pants and ugly brown shoes. They were the stud muffins.
But there was one stud muffin who sort of toyed with me. He had a very strange name.
In 9th grade he was the cat's meow. He was unobtainable. Out of reach. And yet for some reason he went out on a couple of dates with me. And he kept in touch for a little while after I moved from Nebraska to Arizona.
Just got a friend request from him on Facebook. Wow. He's changed. Not quite the ladies' man anymore. Oh, and here's a shocker; he's single. Yikes.
