I don’t know how any kid gets
through high school without good friends. Many don’t I guess, but I did and my
friends had a great deal to do with my survival.
If is hard to look back and
remember how fearful, nervous and insecure I was in high school, at least on
the inside. My friends were essential to me continuing my journey toward God. I
don’t know any other word for my walk toward God than fickled. I was on again, off again. What my
friends did (often without knowing) was to keep my on track on my ongoing
search for God. They got me though high school with at least an interest in
faith. That changed after graduation. I walked away from the church for nearly
a year. That also meant I walked away from my friends. I was on my own and
spiritually rebelling.
But those four years were full of
wonderful adventures and great fun. The group was all good kids. How they all
fared into adulthood, I do not know, but their support got me to where I flourished
– eventually.
While the group hit the drive-ins
and eat-ins, the parks, miniature golf, Playland and more, we spent much of out
time at people’s homes. It was a different day. We talked, laughed, plotted,
organized and entertained one another. We went to YFC and church together. Not
all the talk was about God, but who we were was centered on God.
I couldn’t begin to name them all.
Some I can no longer even remember their names, but I remember the joy they
brought to me. I'm sure we thought this would last forever. It didn't.
This shot of Rusty and Gerry Ann is my all time favorite casual photo. Since nearly everything I took was black and white, I doctored this a bit so we could see Rusty's pajama top and the cool Pepsi bottle. I always thought it would have made a great ad.
The next photo shows how much the girls really loved me. Bev modeled it perfectly. "Don't touch me." "Get away from me." "Help!" This was most likely said with other more appropriate comments.
Gerry Ann and Kathy just being well… Gerry Ann and Kathy
Feeding our faces for nothing better to do. A normal sight.
Harriet: "Not you again. Get outta here."
Maybe it was funny. They thought so.
PLAYLAND was across the Missouri River in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Besides the wooden roller coaster there was all the typical fair games like: knock the milk bottles over, land a nickel on a plate, ring the gong with the mallet, squeeze the handle to determine your strength, etc. There were plenty of other side events like the tunnel of love, the haunted walk, the crazy house (I could not get through the revolving exit without falling) and many others I cannot remember.
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