FamiLee Life

Glory days....well they'll pass you by

It was twenty-one (maybe twenty-two) years ago when this photograph was snapped by a friend. I'm obviously in the middle, flanked by Pete (l) and Steve (r) in a very dramatic fake band pose. We all had gone to public school together and then briefly to catholic high school together (Steve transferred after the first year and I dropped out after the third year). If my memory serves correctly, this photo was taken in between those years. We had swung by a friend's house to hang out and to pick up some new hardcore punk music. Yep, this was my musical styling back in the mid-80s.

As you can see, I also had a flare for fashion too that (if I dare say) oddly mirrors the punk-mod rock stylings of Jeffrey Sebelia (winner of this year's Project Runway). On my Levi jean jacket's sleeve (and back) were about 150-200 safety pins that I had meticulously attached over weeks while working at a dry cleaners for my part-time, after school job. My sunglasses were clearly evoking the spirit of John Lennon who had died five or six years earlier (sidebar - his anniversary death was yesterday). The boots were Timberlands or maybe some local company knockoffs (Hermans). Ah, the glory days.

Today, Pete, Steve, and I are living all across the country (Pete in California, Steve in Connecticut, and me right here in Minnesota). Pete is living large in the corporate world, Steve owns a hair salon, and I am in academia. I have lost touch with Steve, but Pete and I (who were neighbors for most of childhood) are still in touch. In fact, his family was my second family. My "American" family, so to speak. His mom and dad even used to jokingly call me their third son because I was over their house so often. That is what happens when you are a latchkey child and the neighbor is a stay-at-home mom. I am quite thankful to Pete's family because they taught me a lot about the White, middle class way of life that has served me well many years later.

In a few short weeks, I will be going back home to visit my family for Christmas. After my mom passed away, we sold the family home and my dad moved down a few miles to be nearer to my brother. Pete's parents had sold their house a few years earlier and moved south, so Pete and I don't get a chance to see each other during holidays anymore. However, I do see a bunch of my other high school friends still, as we all tend to migrate home for the holidays. Our friend, Dave, has annually hosted a Christmas party that serves as a sort of reunion for all of us. It's always nice to catch up with old friends. We have all changed a lot since those days and I perhaps more than others. Still, it's good to reconnect with the past and move together into the present. Otherwise, the Boss was right - they will pass you by.

Posted by richlee at December 9, 2006 09:48 AM