1984 Then and Now

September 27, 2009 by Wayne Hesler-Mondore • Web Design Articles • Tags: • Comments Off

Holland Patent High School

 

It was 1984, clean air, fresh minds, young hearts and the future ahead of us. We were in love, we were crazy and we knew what we wanted. Oh so we all thought. The halls were filled with preps, geeks, jocks, upperclassmen, lowerclassmen, Seniors, Freshmen, friends and foes. One could never imagine our best friend not being there or not seeing classmates for 25 years. But life and the pursuit of happiness changes all, some for the better some not so much.

This past weekend I found myself transported back to a time long since forgotten. Or at least back burnered for a time. Yes it was that time, High School Reunion, whennwe all show up to show off. But not this time, this was a special gethering of particularly close friends. Friends whom we’ve lost through our daily pursuit of love, life and liberty. It was a magical trip back to childhood homes, playgrounds and schools.

It started for me Friday night, after Austin and I re-connected at my shop then met my hubby, Mike & TeriJo Mustard for dinner at Sumo’s, a local fabuloso Japenese Rest with a great familt feel in New Hartford, NY. After dinner and much enjoyment over our “rebelous youth” {yeah right, we were from a country school in bumfuck nowhere at that time}, anyway, we ended the night at my house in front of a warm crackling fire on the back patio, watching sparkles from the pond dance across the tin roof and sharing stories of youth long gone. Once our fire had dwindled down to a glimmerming glow of hot embers Austin and I decided to make out trek up to Otter Lake, the “official” locale for our Mini HP Reunion, as we liked to call it. A mere 40 minute drive up north and suddenly the world changed, filled with lakes spotted here and there. White Lake with it’s crystal clear water and out Otter Lake with it’s root beer colored water, loons, and shorlines covered in lily pads and pitcher plants, which to be honest never thought grew up here, so that was completely awesome.

Saturday morning found us up and not quite so bushy tailed, hehe.  We thought it cool to take the canoe around the lake, I cannot express how many times I said, “Just beautiful”, I can easily say that the time we spent that morning just will never leave my mind. The stillness of the shores, the slightness of the breeze and the crispness of the air, just added to an already awesome view of the lake. In my opinion the camphouse we stayed at that Austin’s parent were so gracious to let us use has one of the most spectaular views overlooking Otter Lake.Otter Lake Amazing enough, though the lake is small it still took over an hour to canoe around. It was now time to get Paul, a total nut job, sorry Paul, but you’re one crazy guy.

So off to Syracuse Airport to get Paul, I have to say that even driving to the airport was fun, not that’s weird, who enjoys that. So upon arriving at the airport we began our search for Paul, we knew he landed by the charming text message we received just moments prior, “I’m here bitches”. Of course we found him in the only logical place, outside with a cigarette puffing away in his hand. With a big hug to Austin and to myslef while exclaiming “Waynerrrrrrrr” we wer off. It was decided to take the sceneic route back which took us thru Clinton and since Paul was complaining since his pickup that he was hungry, we stopped at the local coffe shop “Mojoz”, where we enjoyed varied drinks and poor quesadillas. But hey it stopped the hunger and Paul from futher headaches, lol. Now off to a few quick sitghtseeing stops and home.
 
The big day, who will come, who surprise us…. how much fun is to be had?  By 11am we had everything in place and after much begging and pledding from both TeriJo and myself I found out that Chris was riding up also, woohoo… I couldn’t wait, I love him meeting my freinds. Yeah party time, by which time of course your’s truly had already had a fair amount of drinks, thank you mom and dad for being  of Irish/German blood.  We immediatly put poor TJ in charge of teh grill, since she made the mistake at one of my parties to show her grilling skill she’s been put in charge of that….love ya TJ. Upon all of our surprises Bernadine Hinge’s family was up at the Lake working on the family camp, and yes she was there. It was just too much, what were the odds, the chances of such a thing to happen.Bernadine & Austin She hasn’t changed, still lovely, beautiful and fun to be around, god bless ya Bern.
 
I’ve attended all the reunions that our class has had. One common denominator that I noticed is that the clicks of yesterday have all but dimished, will they ever be gone completely, of course not. After all we defined ourselves in High School by the people we gravitated towards. But I have found new friends and people to gravitate towards from old acquaintances. People whom in school I never said a word to, I now find myslef holding lecture like conversations with. Partly granted in fact by they are curious of my new life since school and partly by they felt the need to apologize for something they either did, said or felt in school towards me or other students. That’s to me, the sign of someone growing up and moving beyond the past.

“Retarded…” Paul’s Favorite word of the weekend, and mine.

 
Another great surprise was Linda Thorn and her chopper buddies making a pit stop. What a blast these guys were, not your t ypical bikers, but really great guys and fun. Linda’s a trooper, everyone has to give her credit for the years of putting together reunions and listening to people whine. You’re the best dear.
 
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I sit here writting this post and find myself trying to remember all the fun that was had, both past and present. I would need another blog all together I think to write it all down. Our final surprise and most anticipated was Paula, she still adorable and a blast to be with. She hasn’t seemed to change a bit. I wish I had time to spend with her a bit more, I feel out of our group that her and I connected the least, not sure why, but I still love her, she’s a charm. Though our little reunion did not gather the crowd we’d hope, I feel it was fabulous, and I had to admit to Austin just this morning on the phone that I actually went though like 3 days of seperation anxiety, LMAO. I really miss them already. It was really a weekend that I personally will never forget and hope that the future brings more get togethers. DSCN0705
 
Our weekend ended Monday with Austin, Paul and I doing our final runthrough old HP and our homes from growing up. It was sad, fun and exciting all at once. To see the world of our youth 25 years older was strange and wonderful, almost unrecognizable. Especailly for Paul who did not even remember his house when we drove past it. I’m listening to STYX, Journey and Queen as I write, each song brings back such specific point in my life, as did this trip back to 1984. Each stop, each house, brought back memories long lost.
 
Thank you my freinds, for a wonderful trip through memory lane. I love you all and wish you the best next 25 years anyone could have. You’re all special to me in your own unique ways yet special to me in one big way…  1984, the class of.
To see more photo, visit my Flickr account under WayngoTango.
 
 
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