Last night there was a big celebration that I really wish I could have attended back at my high school in Swanton, Vermont.  At the annual, year end,  high school band concert the students said goodbye to our band director Mr. Ostrander.   He had a huge impact on many of us.  His children and many alumni got together and planned a surprise “Mr. Holland’s Opus” type event to show him how great his impact was.   I’ve heard reports of many of my friends attending the event and I wish I could have gone.  (I’m hoping for a video).  Mr Ostrander was also keyboardist for the 70’s band Rainbow that became Wicked Lester which became KISS… he got out before the spandex and make up.  

In lieu of attending the big event, I cleaned my bedroom here in PA.  While getting attacked by many a dust bunny I was distracted by nostalgia.  I pulled out my senior yearbook and skimmed past the page where “Small Town” by John “Cougar” Mellencamp was written out in it’s entirety.  As I looked through the pages, I laughed to myself  and AT myself and my friends .  You know the scenario… the over the shoulder senior pose that was fuzzed up a bit to hide any shine or acne that could possibly ruin my 17 year old life.   I found the class prophecy that I would be singing in an Italian Opera in 5 years.  There were many frightening pictures of me with various clubs wearing stone washed jeans and permed hair.   

Do you remember the cryptic messages you wrote to your friends in that little blurb beneath your senior picture?  I still remember what they all meant and how important it was to have those inside jokes.  

I have a yearbook from every year from 7th grade through my senior year in college. My parents only had one for their graduating years from high school and college…but I’m glad I have all of them to look back at like a time capsule.  The funniest things are the signatures.  It was important to get many, regardless on how well you knew people. “To a good friend, don’t ever forget me…”, “Don’t ever change”, “You’re cool, no matter what anybody says”, etc.  

So, I was thinking, what if we got yearbooks every year of our lives.  What kinds of things would we highlight as the big events of our year?  (Weddings and babies take the place of proms and sport events).  What kinds of notes would we write in our friends books?  (oh wait, is that like my space comments?)  Are we still trying to get in as many club photo’s as we can? (like church ministry teams)  Where would people predict we’ll be in 5 years?  Would they still expect me to sing in an Italian Opera?  (Hey, I’d be open to it)
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