Memory (High School

A pril 2, 2016

The summer of ’64. A Bulldog, I became. And in the spring of ’68. I left. But, I remained.

Eyes opened, to many things. Girls and grades. Future plans. So much happened, in those four year. Horses. Beatles. And Band.

In the spring of ’68. New person, I became. Was the summer of ’64. My life, began to change.

Dad moved us, to the country. Answering, his life’s call. His horse-training “hobby,” transformed. Now. Full time job, for all.

I, along with my brothers. Became, part of his team. Feeding, riding, and cleaning stalls. Lessons, later redeemed.

Mowed and patched. So many chores. Summer heat. Winter rain. The experience, did change us. As understandings, came.

The summer of ’64. A Bulldog, I became. And in the spring of ’68. I left. Yet, still remained.

Listened, on my transistor. The British Invasion. Beatles and Stones and Animals. Sweeping, ‘cross the nation.

Boogie Kings, mesmerized me. I loved, the soul bands too. Something about, those brassy horns. Fan, of “Rhythm and Blues.”

The “trumpet sound,” got to me. As much as melodies. Lennon. McCartney. Inspiring. But blaring horns, moved me.

The summer of ’64. A Bulldog. Not yet trained. And in the spring of ’68. I left. So much, I’d gained.

Began to value, good grades. Great mentors. They did teach. The girls in class, were beautiful. Yet, seemed so out of reach.

Most six-weeks, made honor roll. Near top of class, I stayed. My first real date. The junior prom. A special effort made.

“Date,” then became my girlfriend. Years later. My first wife. We were so young. Had much to learn. Best teacher…sometimes, life.

The summer of ’64. A Bulldog. My life, changed. And in the spring of ’68. I left. Some joy. Some pain.

First summer, band camp. Challenged. Was, a lowly freshman. Tried to keep up. Was all so new. Each day: “Do best I can.”

Somewhere, during that first year. Competitive fire, lit. Did not just want, to be a part. I wanted to lead it.

Became top trumpet. First chair. Pushed, and encouraged peers. Became, Band Captain. Drum Major. A special, senior year.

My last year, we did it all. Earned sweepstakes. District. State. Band’s reputation, grew so much. Broke ceilings. Opened gates.

The summer of ’64. A Bulldog. Still untamed. And in the spring of ’68. Was different. And the same.

Football teams, made the playoffs. Musicals, we produced. Girls basketball team, were State Champs. Sheer joy. To tears reduced.

Prepared ourselves. Future lives. None, exactly the same. Joined many clubs. Service projects. Concerts, stock shows, and games.

Graduation. Together. It would be, our last chance. We all sang, “Born Free.” Our class song. Then Country Club. Last dance.

We danced and ate. Hugged and kissed. Four years, were at an end. We will be classmates, forever. But more important…friends.

The summer of ’64. My life, began to change. And in the spring of ’68. New person, I became.