First one about my Mom, Kelly...
You gave me life in circumstances that I can only imagine were confusing to you. You gave me a chance at consistency when I think you doubted your own reality.
I have referred to myself as a 60's love child, and I mean it. I think you were in love with being in love your entire life. You loved and lived very passionately - so much so that I think you were left alone in the very darkest hours of your existence.
I am trying really hard to write something about you that is deep and meaningful - and it just isn't working out. So let me tell what I learned from you. You taught me to bead and hunt mushrooms. You taught me how to hide drugs in film canisters and to drive a stick shift.
You introduced me to a man who thought he was Jesus, and then he gave me a .22 rifle. I learned a lot about Potawatomee Indians from you, also how to pan gold and skinny dip.
I rode in my first red convertible with you, right down main street in Glenwood Springs on our way to see Star Wars. I never heard anyone sing like you until I listened to Bonnie Raite. You are the only one in the world besides my buddy Todd who could pull off calling me "J". I liked it when you called me that.
I encountered my first ghost when we broke into that mansion in Lake City, and you protected me from the cops, your high school buddy Dick White. You gave me the courage to talk to bikers while you sat in the bar and talked with your friends.
I learned about predators like Jimmie Bebopp, how to make beds, how to make a Shirley Temple, who Journey, ELO and Eric Clapton were. Did you really have dinner with him?
I knew you loved me and that you had so many regrets and from that I learned to be careful and to ask a lot of questions. You gave me Aunt Roberta, Uncle Bill's Corvette on prom night and my first taste of wild goose.
There's more, I am sure. For now, I remember your laugh and your tears. Mostly our goodbye's and the one I missed. Mom, I love you. Rest.
Next, one about my people from BHS Class of '87...
I think it was Glenn Frey who, during the "When Hell Freezes Over" tour, said "We [The Eagles] never broke up, we just took a 15 year haiatus."
Basalt High School Class of 1987, the finest group of individuals to ever grace the graduate venue, gets back together again this week. I won't be there, but my best friends will be. I like to remember them this way, but in no particular order.
Tammy Kehrig had the best smile, next to Rebekah Hasti. Scott Barnes took the hardest hit I have ever witnessed in a football game against Aspen. Tim Comroe is the only guy I have ever known who owned a 1968 GTO and then sold it, he also beat up Andrew Guerrilos with a baseball bat. Eddie Godfrey could fix a lot of stuff, I've known him since I was 2. Todd Selby played Pac-Man better than anyone, made me laugh harder than anyone and got away with more stuff than anyone except me. Bill Crowley, man could he run, and listen to Lionel Richie. Astrid Lizotte, well I could talk to her forever. Becky Woodward was beautiful. Julie Lorton had the best laugh and the best brain which made her the hottest girl in the world. David Davidson liked me anyway and made a Maverick look sexy. Alan Leslie could do anything, and does. Daniel Ritsch's brother called himself Aurelius, Daniel drove a Cougar, an Audi and was the strongest human I have ever known. Amanda Bearden and Tonja Williams were the kindest people I knew. Tami Williams took me to one dance and dumped me, I've never been the same. Kerry McCune had answers and perspective which made her majestic to me. Mr. Laffler was baffling. Jason Cohenour made me want to be a better person. Jamie Perciful gave me a glimpse of creativity. Kathleen Mesceri was a renaissance woman. Toby Robinson is the quintessential friend. Brenda Veitch was like the person I counted on, my sun, there for me. Steven Koski punched me so hard I still feel it, and was so kind afterwards, I feel that too. Veronica Kline was steel and velvet. Denise Bailey was the girl I always wanted to know better. Did Russell Bear sign his name with an X along with Theron and Bill Eiland just to freak me out? Kelly Coberly lived around the corner from my grandparents, she looked great in a pair of 501's. Michelle Morris had Hollywood eyes. Mary Hudspeth read more books than Mr. Anderson, and I think it ate at him. Kandi Bowles made we want to make sure I didn't have any boogers hanging out of my nose or food in my teeth. Mike Weed made gloves look tough. Gayle Reinke was tough. Kenny McLendon was not a chaunch - but he taught me a lot about them. Stephanie McLaine (sp?) had the best tank tops.
Some of these memories are childish, and silly, but it is how I saw things then. I sat in class with these people, some for 13 years. They were my family. They taught me and shaped me in many ways, to be who I am and who I am not.
I hope David Davidson threw out those pictures. I hope Mr. V got a raging case of the clap and finally moved out of his mother's house. I hope that Merc knew how much I loved her for telling me it would be alright. I hope Mr. Manown forgave me for calling him Moonie. If Clint Jackson ever tells me he dunked again, I will beat him up again, but I do hope he gives me back my stuff. I never pulled the fire alarm, I won't tell who did. Among other things, I did paint 1986 all over the school with fire extinguishers, but I won't tell who helped me. I still have the card that Eddie Godfrey and Astrid Lizotte delivered to my house the day after my Dad died. You all signed it.
I hope each of them has become all that they wanted to be, and that they realize that they have so much more to give and to go. If I forgot someone, it happens that they probably forgot me as well and I am fine with that. If I missed a spelling here and there, it's because I no longer teach. If I had it to do again, I would only change the amount of times I told each of you how much I love you, some more, some less. HA!
I want all of you who do remember me, to remember the good and forgive the bad. I miss you all.
We've never broke up, we're just taking another 10 year hiatus.
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