I had been pondering what to write about for Flashback Friday. So many memories, so little time, ya know?? I was going through an old album from high school and found some possibilities but decided to come back to it later. I ended up taking a bike ride with Noah and we rode by one of his friends' houses and they invited him to play for awhile. So I took a long bike ride by myself with my ipod. Let me tell ya, there's nothing like it. It was overcast, windy, with the hint of the rain to come and wonderful day to bike, listen to music, and let my mind wander. A lot of times, I end up over by Quincy University. It's a good distance for walking and biking and I also like to go "visit" Kathy by her brick. Today it ended up being one of those days. I was sad to see some weeds coming up around her brick, I had to clear them away. It's hard to believe it's been a little over 2 years since she passed away. I think about her often and it always makes my heart hurt to think of her kids growing up without their mommy.
What really got me thinking back today was coming upon this sight on campus.
They were tearing down Solano Hall. It's been set to be torn down for quite awhile, even years I think. How I just happened to come across it today when it was in progress, I don't know. It made me very sentimental. I took choir in that hall. I took music history in there. I met a boy there. I made memories there.
Fr. Dennis was the choir director when I was there. A lot of people called him Father What-A-Waste because he was attractive for a priest. We may go to hell for that. When Todd and I decided to get married in the Quincy University Chapel, we asked him to marry us and he accepted.
I couldn't help thinking back on my time in college. It's amazing how one little memory can spark off hundreds of others that you thought you had forgotton. Like chipping a little bit off of your front tooth on a beer bottle the first night of college (it took years to smoth out on its own)...............intramural volleyball, basketball and softball..................the stifling suffocating feeling of walking in the college library.............Father Bob coughing up herky's at 8am every morning during Calculus...........grilled cheese at 3am on Kathy's sandwich maker...............shaking John Michael Montgomery's hand after his concert.......................having the Gin Blossoms come to campus and getting to meet them backstage (thanks Todd!)..................Tapped Out (what us girls named our house that we lived in for 3 years).............................was Mark gay or not?..........................Vodka and Kool-Aid, what were we thinking?...............working at the movie theatre......................trips to the Palace in Keokuk.............road trips......................late night popcorn and Dr Pepper study breaks.....................parties,boyfriends, heartaches, girl friends...oh, and classes..........I could spend days.
I can honestly say I have no regrets over anything I did back then but I do have regrets over things that I DIDN'T do. I hate that feeling. I know there are no do-overs in life. I passed up certain opportunites because I was too scared to take chances, too scared of what others might think, or just because I let my anxiety get the best of me. I don't want to live that way now. What I wouldn't give to go back and relive certain parts of my college years. Part of me wanted to grow up so fast and now part of me wants to be that kid again. Funny how the time flies.......
9 comments:
I am a big believer in that everything happens for a reason. So the things you didn't do may be a bummer in your mind, but it all worked out the way it was supposed to.
:)
Oh Kel, isn't nice to *go back* like that?
I hate regret too...and I have lots. I just hope I can encourage my girls to follow their heart always...ALWAYS.
This was a wonderful post, Kelly - I felt like I was there with you reliving part of your past - it was fun and it was sad and I know what you mean - some regrets!
Have a good weekend - I will see you later - Kellan
I really enjoyed this post. Sometimes you really tug at my heart. You are the person you are because of your past - a wonderful mother, wife, friend and relative. Love ya lots
I agree..this is a great post. A true flashback, not only in pictures but into the journey of your life. It is true that there are no do overs, but your life has made you who your are, led Todd into your life, giving you the greatest kids in the world. ONE decision to do something different back then could have changed all that. So be happy for what your life has been and where it has led you. I think you're doing pretty great. Kathy would too!
Hey Kelly...
I totally can relate. There is something about *college*... for me it was freshman year in particular. The whole experience encompasses such a defining part of your life! I couldn't imagine seeing it change before your eyes like that.
There are always things you could have done different. There is always a road not taken. But, like Robert Frost talked about in his poem - it's not about which road you take. Both of them equally lay and you just picked one, even though you would never go back to see the path the other one would have provided for you. The other road wasn't better or worse, just different. But you know, by the decisions you made and by the life you now have, that you made the best choice :)
I have few memories about Solano Hall-except taking Matt there for his drum lessons...but building the library, street dances on the no-longer-there College St,sitting on the wall. I look back on QC every August(start of the year) and May remembering the unforgettable 4 years I had there..the friends/roommates that are still in my life. I regret nothing except maybe trying a little harder-and finding a major that fit me better....but never what I did, wanted to do, and all the memoires I stored from those years.....and oh yeah, found the guy in my life walking past my house at 2000 Elm!!!!
Great post, Kelly. I have many memories of the campus also, even though I didn't go to College there. It was our childhood playground since we grew up only 2 blocks away. I used to like a guy that lived at Solano Hall, where the athletes lived at the time.
I forgot that Fr Dennis married you. Isn't that the same priest (Fr Van at the time) who was at St Francis when we were in gradeschool and taught your Dad how to walk on his hands?
I had a jean jacket stolen from Solano Hall. I was there practicing piano for an elementary class and walked out without it. I realized it as soon as I got to my car and even though I went right back it was gone.
My main regret about college is that I didn't finish!
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