Remembering Academy (high school) days

Do you remember your High School (Academy) days? is it one to remember by?  How about the wonderful memories of friends made, not just classmates, but how about even the staff?  To many, we have those long term memories, while others choose not to remember those days, that time. 

Denise, Shally & Sherri in 1980

In my junior year I became close friends with three wonderful young ladies: Denise, Shally and Sherri. Seems like that year we did alot of things together as friends.   We did alot funny things too.   But by my senior year, Denise had gone back to California and Shally chose to continue dating her love who was still a Mennonite, and Sherri had remained as a student along with myself.

Of course, over the years, we all went our separate ways and of course, many of us matured-changed.
Of course Denise married had kids, later Shally married and started to have her own kids but by now she was again a Mennonite.  Her whole life style changed.  The last time I saw Shally was a newlywed and had a new born baby girl.  She was living in a home her husband build and there was NO power. Sherri graduated and returned to Colorado and, I was now living in Maryland enjoying my single young life.

Denise

I could not understand how people can live with no power.  Maybe I was just "spoiled".   Maybe I just didn't understand their beliefs and lifestyle. I don't know.  However, over the last 30 years or more...still in touch with Denise (now a grandmother) and Sherri (now divoiced, but has 2 kids) and yes occassionally keeping in touch with Shally who now has over 7 kids and is now a grandmother herself.   There had been times I wish we should had made a bet who would marry more than once, who would have the most kids, who would be the successful and who would just live a long lonely life.  Well Denise would had won the most marriages (LOL) and Shally would had won to have the most kids. 

Sherri

All of our lives have changed-big time.  I miss my Academy friends and although we all don't talk much we still keep in contact by email and by phone.  But now I want to go up and visit Shally. I have seen and talk to Denise and Sherri all the time. In fact in the mid-late 80's I lived with Sherri for a bit in Colorado.   That was challenging.  But I saw her as a whole different person- all gown up and just enjoying life.  She, of course is a very beautiful person now and dating a new guy (also good looking).   Denise, of course, (giggling) has married for the 3rd or 4th time and lives and works in Nevada with her new husband and mother.

My next challenge is to go out of my own box and take the challenge to go visit Shally in Pennsylvania.  I may take Sherri and Denise with me too. I have to talk to them about it.  See what they say. But I think it will be a learning, challengling, and maybe even recap of our younger days.  It is my new/next goal for the next year.  Maybe Denise and Sherri can't join, that is ok. I rather they join me.  But I look forward to this.

(giggling) maybe we can "kidnap" Shally and take her out to a day of fun, shopping, eating out, etc..etc...

I'm sorry I don't have a recnt photo of Shally...as they don't allow their pictures to be taken due to their religious beliefs.  I do have one of her sister and brother & parents, but that is not the exact same thing.

There are alot of memories - good memories to recap with friends.  The camping trip,  the teasing, the singing, the laughing,  Christmas, Thanksgiving, the farm, the bakery and so much more. 

That is my goal. That is my next challenge. I guess I better recoup from this stroke first to accomplish that goal..