I do have one very strong high school memory, unfortunately it's not a happy one.
In my senior year, rather than graduate early I took very few classes. I
arrived on campus just before 4th period on a Monday morning and poked my nose
into my AHS hangout, Ms. Smith's computer lab. In there I received the news that
fellow computer geek and Class of '79 graduate Mike Reed had committed suicide
over the weekend. I was hit pretty hard and went to find a quiet spot to control
my crying. I thought I had it under control so I went to my 4th period. In
class I lost it again and quietly tried to control my tears. A concerned
classmate leaned over to me and asked, "Did you and Lisa break up?"
In these post-Columbine days I often think about that moment. A moment
where the worst thing we could imagine was breaking up.
I hope my son weathers the storm of adolescent emotions well and I hope
breaking up is the worst thing that he ever has to get through while in high
school.
On a happier note, I grew up to be a computer programmer and my bosses still
let me show up just before 4th period. I just don't know how other people
show up at work at 8 A.M. That's unnatural, I tell ya!
