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Coming home for Homecoming
Nise Note's
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
October 06, 2004
I'm not sure you ever fully grow up when you find yourself in your hometown.
Last weekend, I attended homecoming in my hometown. It's been five years since I graduated from high school and it felt important to me to be there. I hadn't been to a game at home in a few years, and my curiosity about who would or wouldn't be there got the best of me.
After I found a seat with an old friend, we began looking at the people around us. One by one we'd recognize old peers. Some hadn't changed much at all; others we had to almost squint and tilt our heads to place them.
On a trip to the concession stand the inevitable, "HI! How are YOU!!"s began. In some cases, we'd actually stop to chat for a moment as hugs were exchanged and a quick game of catch-up was played. However, more often, the greeting was exchanged in passing, as much like in life we all went our separate ways.
By the end of the night, however, our team has won by a shut-out, and my friend and I were standing in the same area we spent all our time back when we were in high school -- over by the band stand. It was there that we found the people we'd spent the most time with back in the day, and the comfort level of the entire situation seemed to peak. It was then that I truly realized that some things never change.
We all either have jobs today or are on the edge of having a degree. Some are dating; some are married. Others are single for the first time ever. We all spend our days surrounded by completely different people...
However, deep down in our hearts we're the same people we were when we were in high school. Within seconds, after a long hello hug, it was as if time slid back. Old friendships still exist, and inside jokes are just as funny today as they were then.
It's only been five years for me. For many people it has been 10, 20, 30, even 50+ years since they received their high school diploma. However, pride in one's alma mater never fades. The twinkle in one's eye that existed in their glory days returns as they return their old stomping grounds.
You indeed never fully grow up, and, while I doubt anyone would go back and do it again, there is a part of everyone that remains in those days they spent dreaming about the future, trying to grow up way too fast.
This weekend is Marlin's Homecoming, and as a result the town will be filled with teenagers aging in range from 13 to 93. The streets will be filled with cars of every shape, size and model with the windows down and the radio up, even if it's only in the driver's mind's eye. Old glories will be recalled, and tall tales will be a little taller.
To all the classes returning for reunions -- welcome back. Some may have moved on, but they will they will never forget nor will they be forgotten.
Nise Note's
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
October 06, 2004
I'm not sure you ever fully grow up when you find yourself in your hometown.
Last weekend, I attended homecoming in my hometown. It's been five years since I graduated from high school and it felt important to me to be there. I hadn't been to a game at home in a few years, and my curiosity about who would or wouldn't be there got the best of me.
After I found a seat with an old friend, we began looking at the people around us. One by one we'd recognize old peers. Some hadn't changed much at all; others we had to almost squint and tilt our heads to place them.
On a trip to the concession stand the inevitable, "HI! How are YOU!!"s began. In some cases, we'd actually stop to chat for a moment as hugs were exchanged and a quick game of catch-up was played. However, more often, the greeting was exchanged in passing, as much like in life we all went our separate ways.
By the end of the night, however, our team has won by a shut-out, and my friend and I were standing in the same area we spent all our time back when we were in high school -- over by the band stand. It was there that we found the people we'd spent the most time with back in the day, and the comfort level of the entire situation seemed to peak. It was then that I truly realized that some things never change.
We all either have jobs today or are on the edge of having a degree. Some are dating; some are married. Others are single for the first time ever. We all spend our days surrounded by completely different people...
However, deep down in our hearts we're the same people we were when we were in high school. Within seconds, after a long hello hug, it was as if time slid back. Old friendships still exist, and inside jokes are just as funny today as they were then.
It's only been five years for me. For many people it has been 10, 20, 30, even 50+ years since they received their high school diploma. However, pride in one's alma mater never fades. The twinkle in one's eye that existed in their glory days returns as they return their old stomping grounds.
You indeed never fully grow up, and, while I doubt anyone would go back and do it again, there is a part of everyone that remains in those days they spent dreaming about the future, trying to grow up way too fast.
This weekend is Marlin's Homecoming, and as a result the town will be filled with teenagers aging in range from 13 to 93. The streets will be filled with cars of every shape, size and model with the windows down and the radio up, even if it's only in the driver's mind's eye. Old glories will be recalled, and tall tales will be a little taller.
To all the classes returning for reunions -- welcome back. Some may have moved on, but they will they will never forget nor will they be forgotten.
