There are so many ways for people to find you on the internet, and so many reasons why they do.
This week I was blessed with an incredible surprise. An old school friend found me after almost 46 years.
Yes, I'm showing my age, but this is really special to me.
When I was 12 years old, like most 12 year olds, life was fun, friends were so important and I was in that transition part of life. I was just beginning to get the fluttery feeling in my stomach with a certain boy but way too young to act on anything, thank God.
7th grade was a wonderful time for me. I had so many friends and so much to look forward to. I was a "Safety Patrol". We wore badges of honor and had the privilege of monitoring the halls, and feeling very important to the younger children in school. Back then there was no middle school. We were the seniors to the others! The greatest thing about being a "Safety Patrol" was having the opportunity to go to Washington DC with your classmates. Girls went as one group, boys as another.
This trip was so much fun. I loved my friends, I loved the freedom to be able to go and be away from home (that's a story that could take years to tell) but a time in my life that I remember with loving memories. Each girl meant something to me. I cherish those friendships - especially since one month after I came home from this trip my family and I moved away.
I kept this picture because it meant so much to me. It's cracked and worn but I still have it.
This week I received an email from one of those girls. A question on Facebook? Are you the Gayle that went to Dodson Drive Elementary and lived on Piney Woods Drive? I was blown away, and still am. The girl on the top row right found me. Had I ever even thought about trying to find someone from that long ago? No. But why not? This really has made me realize how many people that I've come across in life truly touched me. Have I touched them in any way?
The picture. This wonderful picture that I held on to was posted on her site. There I am, looking like Jackie "O". Well not really, just the clothes, but here we are so young and proper, but it seems like yesterday.
I posted it on my Facebook to see if my friends could find me. My daughter said I hadn't changed at all but if she only knew. I would love to see so many of these wonderful people again. My sweet teacher, Mrs. Bell, short little lady on the top row - a pleasure to have had her as my teacher.
My message to you today is that each hour of each day you can make a difference in someones life. Looking at the faces in this picture makes me a little sad but also very happy. How many of these young ladies made a difference in someones life? How many are still living today. How many of them have families, friends and have made a difference in someone else's life. I hope I have and that I will continue to do so.
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