"Carole
and I met in 1957. It was our first year at West Jr High, a brand new
school recently built and very intimidating to a twelve year old like
me. I had spent my childhood with a sister just eleven months older and I
relied on her to tell me what to do. Now as I approached my teens it
was time to grow up and I desperately needed a friend to do that.
When I
met Carole she was confident and completely comfortable in who she was.
We became instant best friends and spent most of our time together over
the next three years. A favorite pastime of ours was walking downtown
to shop or take in a movie. Then it was off to Sylvia Sweets for Fries
and a cherry coke.
We talked about everything. I poured out my heart and
soul to her and she listened. She never judged or told me what to do.
She let me come to my own conclusions. I was still filled with panic as
to where I was going and who I would become.
Carole was calm and ready
for her future whatever that might be. I always envied her way of living
in the now and not worrying about what may come next. She bolstered my
confidence assuring me I would do fine. In 1961 as we entered High
School I was a totally different person due to Carole's influence. The
frightened girl was gone and in it's place a woman ready for her future.
We
lost touch after that but reconnected again year later through
Classmate.com and then Facebook.I didn't get to spend as much time as I
hoped with her but I will always remember her and what she did for
me...." - Donna P.
Me too, Donna.
