My HS story...
Posted by
Mel Profit (aka mel profit)
Sep 9 '13, 07:46
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I was luck. God, I was lucky. HS redeemed me. Showed me the first inkling of who I could be and how to relate to other people. It was never like that for me...
Elementary School and particularly Middle School were hell for me. I don't think I contemplated suicide in Middle School but I think I came close. I definitely know what it felt like to be so utterly isolated and alone.
Freshman year in HS wasn't much better. At some point out of desperation I sat with an old friend from elementary school at lunch. We hadn't been in a class together in years but I was tired of feeling alone. He half befriended me but what it did was gave me access to a group of people who became my tribe. One kid in particular became my friend. He became my best friend. He's my best friend still (the other best friend - I married my best friend). I love him dearly. I respect him as a person and a man. When I'm unsure of what to do about something I honestly think of the course of action he'd take.
The base group of friends I had in HS were the 2nd string of the Football Team. This was odd in so many ways as I am somewhat physically disabled. I think they identified with me perhaps in that they weren't the stars of the team but they grinded out meager success by force of will. I always gravitate towards those types of athletes now. I respect what it takes to succeed by hard work. It's easy when you have talent but it's admirable when you have a bit less talent but have to work for the rest.
One the eve of our Thanksgiving Day Game the Seniors spoke individually at a ceremony in front of the whole team. I was included. It felt natural and yet things came out of me that I did not expect. It was frightening yet entirely liberating.
With that group of friends I blossomed during my sophomore year. I became outgoing. I became friends with many different groups. I was a friend to the geeks, sluts, motorheads, etc. I took the lesson of my past loneliness and every once and awhile tried to help someone else into the lifeboat. I particularly liked helping the Drama Geeks (go figure...)
My HS life wasn't perfect (Old Mel talking to Young Mel: "girls are wonderful. They're not mythical creatures you can't talk to however..."). But it taught me some very basic things and gave me a friendship I'll likely have until I have to pull my teeth out at night.
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