This past weekend I went to my grandson’s high school Homecoming parade and football game. Besides the pang of being old enough to witness his first homecoming dance date, the parade and game itself stirred all kinds of memories, both good and bad.
The parade, the Homecoming Court, the school club floats were filled with beautiful kids. The pom-pom squad, cheerleaders, even the football players had an air and charisma that glowed like an aura all around them.
That’s what Homecoming is supposed to look like.
I rarely look back and wish I could redo any part of my life. But high school is a close first choice.
I had a rough middle school life, having been made fun of for most of those eternal years. So much so I went to a Catholic high school 10 miles away to get away from it all. Come sophomore year I got contact lenses and lost a couple of pounds and went back to the public school near my house. Needless to say, there was no trace of the do-badders from middle school.
I must have over-compensated for bad feelings, for I spent three of my four high school years dating the same person. While I enjoyed the attention of one particular boy, I cut off any potential I had to enjoy high school like a high schooler is supposed to.
I didn’t join any clubs. Try out for any plays. Go to any football or basketball games. Didn’t hang with girlfriends and have overnights or go to my Junior or Senior prom.
Love supposedly conquered everything.
Two months after I graduated my boyfriend and I broke up.
I’m not saying being active in high school is for everyone. These days, homework, the Internet, and plotting a course towards either college or a job is pressure enough.
But watching a group of girls representing some high school club, laughing and waving from the back of a pick up truck, struck a chord of negative nostalgia.
I doubt if I would have been as cute and perky as all the kids that waved as they passed by. But who knows. I would have been able to connect to the experience. To the memories.
Don’t devote yourself to one single cause at a time.
The world is full of experiences that are willing to share you with others.
.
.
My oldest grandson is a freshman in high school and attended his first homecoming dance. He wore a blue blazer with jeans and red high top tennis shoes. Went with his group of nerdy friends. I missed the parade but will make it a point to do so next year
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Do try! They hardly know you’re there, but you’ll know. And remember.
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Plus I can take photos to prove itš¤Ŗ
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couldn’t have said this better myself
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I can relate, didn’t do much highschool, when I did, it was brutal. The jocks and cheerleaders were very mean to anyone who looked different.
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I’m not naive — I’m sure that still goes on. On top of that is cyber bullying, something we never had. We just need to be alert parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles. Our efforts will make a difference …
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We all have a few regrets, but that’s life. I also dated the same guy in high school, married him before we graduated, and had two children. I always wanted to go to university. Although we divorced after 9 years, I have two fabulous children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I’ve been married to my current hubby for 49 years. Life has been good.
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Yes, darlin’, it is. I’ve been married 44 years with two sons and three grandkids. Life has been very good to me, too. But I DO wish I had memories of a senior prom….
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No boyfriend for me, but I also didn’t do most of those activities… no homecoming, no formal dances, I don’t recall ever being asked to dance at the casual/stag dances, etc. My high school memories are mostly negative.
Attending a homecoming game now sounds like fun!!
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The energy was palpable! I am even more happy that my grandson got to attend his first dance with a very sweet girl.
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