On Remembering

I was reminded recently about a project I saw an acquaintance take part in. She was asked to make a list of all the people over the course of her life that had had an affect on her, all the folks with whom she had made a connection. I'm not really sure why she was assigned this project, but I remember thinking that it was such a cool idea... to take the time to remember the folks who in one way or another had had some influence over the person she was now.

And then I thought....
            Hey- Why Not Now?
                            Since this is a traditionally nostalgic time of year, it seems the perfect time to write down the names of all the people who have made a difference in my life - from memory... without using a yearbook... or an address book... and no checking Facebook... or my contact lists...
just from my memory.
I'm going to include- childhood friends, most of whom I haven't seen in... well, for a LONG time,
             and teachers...
             and old crushes...
             and college cronies...
             and co-workers...

college in the seventies! 

I did my list chronologically, starting from as far back as I can remember, all the way up to the present. And all I can say, now that I'm done, is WOW, what a trip! And you know what? This exercise was a great way to end the year and it was a gas thinking about these folks, most of whom haven't crossed my mind for years, or even decades. I know some of them are dead now, and some very well might be. Some have changed their names, once, twice or maybe more than that....
(I just typed the name I last remembered it being.)

And to those who find their names listed here: I just want you to know that I remembered you today, and it made me smile. In some instances I thought of something that made me laugh out loud. OK, that felt a little weird, but either way, if someday you just happen upon this list while googling your name or something, please know that I remembered you right off the top of my head, with no prompting, because you permanently affected me... and even though we may not have spoken to each other in a long, long, time, it felt good thinking about you. And, if by chance you'd like to get in touch with me, I'd really like that. You can contact me here. 

Cathy Strohm-
Jill Scalpino-
Sharon Rose-
Valeri Barzetti-
Susan Ford-
Joy Finger-
Chris Wagner-
David Taylor-
Brenda & Hank Pickert-
Dagmar Leuze Budd-
Lynn Kellogg-
Mrs. Schnabel-
Beth Mullaney-
Mr. Forster-
Mr. Golob-
Milton & Harold Redlich-
Mrs. Brawley-
Bruce Toher-
Karen Smith Plecity Hanley-
Ron Wood-
Marie Self-
Brenda Wilson-
Barbara Wilson-
George Couch-
Carole Herge-
Kathy Dobbins-
Sylvia Barkley-
Hope Hopkins-
Steve Freeman-
Banks Smith-
Becky Thompson Flowers-
Pam Wilson-
Joyce Lipton-
Susan Lawson Budd-
Julia Lee Hanna Payne-
Mackie Sinclair Price-
Bowen (Snapper) Wakefield-
Betty Sumner-
Clinton & Rachel Hemmings-
Mary Bumgarner-
CD Malone-
Mr Lumley-
Ernie Tompkins-
Philemon Samuels-
Jean Howerton-
Solomon Hanna-
Jane Tesh-
Arthur Murphy-
Larry & Connie Adsit-
Crystal Couch-
Diane Godfrey-
Lee Byerly-
Vinnie Vasser-
Leila Ivey-
Carol Hamilton-
Arlene Roman-
Martie Groom-
Kathryn Maxwell-
Beth Lineberry-
Yvonne Swann Holbrook
Ed & Mary Ellen Jennings
John & Vicky Pruitt-