Saturday, September 26, 2009

Sunday Scribblings - "Cheese"


In high school I was a spirited, outgoing and flirtatious girl. I was a cheerleader at 5' 1" with a rack and was given the dubious honour of "Class Flirt" my senior year. I still cringe at that label because I knew the boys probably had used a less flattering term. This was probably how I was remembered as our 30th reunion drew near. I had not attended a reunion since my 5yr because I was a big ole chicken. Not many knew what I had or what it did to me. My love story is what they wanted to hear.

It was the weekend before my 48th birthday. I was so excited that I was blessed with yet another year that I decided to go. I was still scared of walking in that room with a walker but I felt that I needed to go. We had decided to leave hubbys at home, stay at a nice hotel and make it a "girls" weekend.

The venue was at Arlen Ness' custom Harley motorcycle showroom. His daughter Sherri was in my little posse and she works there so he donated the space. Amazing Italian food and a live band made for a great casual get together.


Moreau Catholic High School's class of 1979.

I climbed up one step and said "cheese" so many times that by the end of the night my face said "no can do." There was not one look of pity that I saw but instead I was received by warmth and happiness that I was there. I should have brought Dave because people really wanted to meet the man in the love story.

The downside was I didn't want to be fed so I ate a burger before I left, I don't drink, I don't speak well over a band, I left my glasses at home so I didn't recognize anyone unless they came up to me. But there were a lot of hunched over squinting people looking at name tags, so I was not alone on that one. I did have straw for a water bottle but they were shaped like a flask with Arlen's logo. For late comers it looked like I was sucking up Vodka. Together with my speech slur and walker tucked out of the way, well you get the picture.



The lighting in that showroom made all the photos look grainy but these were my "click" that tore up Hawaii after graduation. I tried to keep up but at 3am my body won the battle with my brain. I missed out on I-Hop at 3:30am but my body still took 3 full days to recover. We took so many pictures to remember this night, that say "cheese" was still vibrating in my head to the beat of Journey as I drifted off to sleep.

Going to that reunion made my ALS walk and birthday even brighter.

18 comments:

floreta said...

wow!! you guys all look GREAT!

Anonymous said...

I attended my 40th Class Reunion this past July. I almost didn't go as I also had not attended any since the 5th. I had a blast! I won a bottle of wine for having the least grey hair with no hair coloring.

Lucy said...

Tammy! you look amazing! Beautiful and Young and NOT at all like an eh hem... A "flirt" I'm So happy the reunion went so well..
And honey I wouldn't have been able to make I-hop at 3:30 am either!!!
In the words of Journey...
DOn'T stop believing!! YOU and your spirit will be at the 40th reunion to say CHEESE too!
love u to pieces Tam! xoxo

Pear tree cottage! said...

Tammy, love that I can drop in to see how you are and pleased I did. You look so well. best wishes always from us here in Australia.

Lee-ann

Giggles said...

Oh Tammy you are such an inspiration!! Beautiful women all of you, beautiful writing! The kids enjoyed your story too!! Glad you had such a great time!! You really know how to live in spite of your restrictions!!

I was called " Buns"...lol funny how it was back then!!

Annie Jeffries said...

Hi Miss T. What a terrific story. You all looked so happy to be together again. So - when is the next reunion? You are bring Dave next time. Yes? Yes??? LOL

Hugs,
Annie

gautami tripathy said...

I loved this. You all look so beautiful!

dad, will you walk one more time with me?

Forgetfulone said...

Your pictures are fabulous! And I'm so glad you had a good time even though it took it's toll. You are truly an inspiration.

Tabor said...

A friend told me about a recent reunion where a class friend talked about nothing but her MS diagnosis and all the compromises in life that she had to make. I am sure your friends enjoyed your visit so much more as your conversation (slur or no slur) was fun. (I KNEW you were a cheerleader in a former life!) If you stayed up until 3:30 you are a better warrior than I and I don't blame you for keeping that good-looking guy under wraps.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

sounds like you had a good time.
and you look great

Anonymous said...

That was one nice cheese moment...beautiful. You look so lovely in red.

Frances said...

You look marvelous.
I'm so glad you went and enjoyed your 48th, mine is coming up this December, and I can't wait.
Thanks for stopping in to visit.
Sending good vibes your way.

Jeeves said...

Wow......Looks like you had fun. Lovely snaps

anthonynorth said...

You had a great time there. I've resisted reunions so far - but you never know.

Anonymous said...

Great pictures! It looks like you had a great time. I've skipped any gathering that involved more than a few of the people I went to high school with because I used all my bravery up facing them while we were in high school.

George S Batty said...

Tammy - you are my heroin. A true warrior is what you are. I am also jealous. I went to my 50th re-union a few years ago and it was a dud. I drove 2000 miles to get there. The re-union started at 6:30 and by 9:00 everyone had gone home but me and one old friend. I'm coming to your next time. At least your old HS buddies still know how to have a good time.

Tumblewords: said...

Gorgeous girls - what fun - I'd be quite happy to miss I-Hop at 3:30 AM!

Dee Martin said...

I'm so glad you cut loose and went. You look amazing and happy :)