October 10, 1974 was Thursday

And I day I was pretty sad. You see, a man, an older man at that, was about to finish student teaching at my high school the very next day. I was so downtrodden, as I'm sure alot of other girls were, but I didn't really care about them. Heck, I was 16 and was so sure my crush on the Substitute Teacher surpassed all others. He was 22, with blond hair, Paul Newman blue eyes, and held every high school girl's heart, including mine.

All pretty innocent. Even by today's standards: -nothing happened, except the silliness of a 16 year old girl attempts to flirt--which I yet to read the "How To" manual. My flirt skills kicked into gear one earlier Friday night, during a HS football game. I stood with my chums on the bleachers, while he stood with some others kids, but they disappeared. I guess it could have been half time. I just remember he stood by himself and I inched over to him. Made some crack if he's the student teacher. Of course, he said yes, then he asked my name.

I was hooked. None of my high school mates were as polite or as cute. For the next couple of weeks, until the night he was to say good by, I did my best to flirt and chat with him. I didn't have any class he taught, so I'd hang outside his door. And my day was made when he waved while standing in front of the class he was teaching.

Bittersweet high school memory. I figured my quality of life would suffer so after I saw him for the final time the next day. So hard to fathom he would be gone after just a few weeks in my life. Hey, I was dramatic, even then for a 16 year old. :)

Flash forward to today in 2009. I was possessed to walk around the park where I'd trek so much during my recuperation time, back in 2006. The park right by my old apartment. Was a chilled and dreary day, and driving over to that park was on my mind since last night. I just figured I'd head to the rec center before I did all my errands.

Wrong. I had to go around that park, like I use to and sit on my bench. Felt right. Felt good. I know I need to make more memories at the park, just a few blocks from my house, but today...I wanted to be in that park. I was the only there. Just like it was then. The wind brushed through the leaves and kissed my face. I always felt God was telling me all was OK. More memories and dreams of tomorrow as I sent on my bench.

Just like the day back in 1974.

As much as something changes all stays the same.