10 years, really?

They say time flies when you're having fun, but honestly it doesn't seem like it has been 10 years since I graduated high school. Earlier in 2009, I was asked to be on my high school's graduating class reunion committee from Clarkdale. The question I kept asking myself was, "10 years, really?" Well, it has been 10 years and we are celebrating in September. It will be fun to see old classmates that I haven't seen since graduation and I'm sure to laugh as we reminisce on the memories of our grade school years.

The committee asked for pictures from the years of school we had together. Lucky for me, my mom has scrapbooks of everything dating back all the way from my preschool days at Mt. Olive. A few of my classmates from preschool went all the way to 12th grade with me. The memories I have from those days are few and far between but looking at those pictures made it seem like it was yesterday. Flipping through the pages of that particular scrapbook, I could remember everything from my dad taking me to school every morning to the smell of the building. The same scrapbook has kindergarten pictures through 2nd grade. My mom was (and still is) a teacher at Clarkdale. Everyday after school I got to hang around and play with the other teachers kids. Who knew that one day, I would end up working for one of them.

I was in elementary school in the 80s and you can imagine what the clothes and the hairstyle trends were. I have naturally curly, thick hair and back in the day there was no such thing as a CHI. Anyone that has naturally curly hair I'm sure can sympathize with me on how it has a mind of its own. And the clothes ... let's just say if those come back in style I will be rebelling. When picking pictures to share at the reunion, I will be sure to keep the "bad hair days" out of site. Fortunately in junior high school I got a straightener for my hair and the clothes seemed to get a bit better.

My last four years of grade school seem like a blur. Looking back, it all happened so quick and I'm sure I was no help wishing my life away. I never thought the day would come when I got my license, got to attend prom for the first time, leave early from school everyday and get a "real" job. Boy, what was I thinking? All of those days came and went and what I would give to go back and relive some of it. I guess I'll get my chance at the end of September. I look forward to seeing everyone in my graduating class and learning where life has taken everyone in the past 10 years.

As to what everyone will think about me and where life has taken me ... I have no idea what they will say or think. However, I know that I have enjoyed the years since high school and am proud of the person that I have become today. I can't wait to see what the next 10 years have in store for me.

If you get a minute, flip back through you're old yearbooks and scrapbooks ... if it's anything like mine I'm sure your in store for a few good laughs.

I'll see you out and about!
Joy Henson, 393 Editor