Going down Memory Lane circa 1983
Excuse me if I seem to be zoning out. I am. I'm back in 1983. I've been reading the blog of our old babysitter. She's in her first semester of college about 4 hours away chronicling her days of school, roommates, new friends, living on her own, and managing high school memories. I am so proud of her for moving away, no matter how hard it is. Reading her blog is taking me straight back to Whitney Hall at Chico State when I was on my own for the first time, trying to find myself after a very sheltered childhood.
I hear Madonna music and caddy girls asking who was homecoming queen. I remember trying to decide which jelly shoes and jeans to wear to the Phi Ta fraternity house party, how to survive Economics class, and starting a new sorority. My chest still feels the power of a new friendship in my roommate, Madeline, the insecurity of not feeling worthy of friendship with the girl across the hall, Kelly, and the wonder I held for Jan who's energy was so foreign to me.
Now, fast forward to 2009. I'm seeing all three of these girls and 18 others this weekend! I wish my babysitter could be with us. In 25 years she'll be doing the same thing. Where will she and her roommates be then? How did we all get here now? Cancer survivors, women who've lived through the death of parents, children, marriage, proud teachers, attorneys, mothers, professionals. My gosh. We are girls held together by a bond of respect for what we achieved - forming a brand new local college sorority. That glue is tattered though. Our time wasn't all idyllic. My boyfriend cheated on me with one of my sorority sisters. Friendships were severed and reconnected through jealousies, misunderstandings and just simply life changes. These were all very big events at the time. There were a lot of tears. There was a lot of pain and self doubt. My babysitter is going through some of those feelings already and I'm reminded that time heals, strengthens and forms us. They're all important parts of our life that frankly I would never trade.
So, later today, I take off the makeup and fancy news anchor duds to become the other Kim, and cherish my weekend in a time warp with dear friends.
Peace, Kim
I hear Madonna music and caddy girls asking who was homecoming queen. I remember trying to decide which jelly shoes and jeans to wear to the Phi Ta fraternity house party, how to survive Economics class, and starting a new sorority. My chest still feels the power of a new friendship in my roommate, Madeline, the insecurity of not feeling worthy of friendship with the girl across the hall, Kelly, and the wonder I held for Jan who's energy was so foreign to me.
Now, fast forward to 2009. I'm seeing all three of these girls and 18 others this weekend! I wish my babysitter could be with us. In 25 years she'll be doing the same thing. Where will she and her roommates be then? How did we all get here now? Cancer survivors, women who've lived through the death of parents, children, marriage, proud teachers, attorneys, mothers, professionals. My gosh. We are girls held together by a bond of respect for what we achieved - forming a brand new local college sorority. That glue is tattered though. Our time wasn't all idyllic. My boyfriend cheated on me with one of my sorority sisters. Friendships were severed and reconnected through jealousies, misunderstandings and just simply life changes. These were all very big events at the time. There were a lot of tears. There was a lot of pain and self doubt. My babysitter is going through some of those feelings already and I'm reminded that time heals, strengthens and forms us. They're all important parts of our life that frankly I would never trade.
So, later today, I take off the makeup and fancy news anchor duds to become the other Kim, and cherish my weekend in a time warp with dear friends.
Peace, Kim
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