Charlie don’t surf, but he does read letters.

Karen Shock was a girl I spent 12 years of school with and probably spoke to 10 times. 

I regret that.  And, as a class mate told me Saturday night, we were shallow.  It was about clothes, the mod look, dances, music, fun, football, basketball, and our close circle of friends.  There were 130 or so kids in my graduating class, and I have to admit, I didn’t know them all. 

But I should have.

At least I should have know Karen better.

Mrs. Almeda Shaw was a teacher at Valley View High School, and Karen was her student.  A few of the young men whom Mrs. Shaw taught were shipped off to Viet Nam.  She promised to write to them, but with a busy life, a family, a profession, she rarely kept UP with the demand.  She came UP with an idea.  She asked Karen to write to Charlie Martin, because Mrs. Shaw simply, didn’t have time.

Lucky Charlie.

When it came Karen’s turn to tell about her life Saturday night, she stood UP and said, “I’m Karen Shock Martin and this is my husband Charlie.  We’ve been married 40 years.”  Charlie was the lucky guy to whom Karen wrote while he was in Viet Nam.  They kept UP a two year correspondence, and when he came home from Nam, he took her out on a date. 

The rest is history.

They got engaged, married, had a family – one son, worked all their lives, and stayed in Germantown.

Nothing unusual about that.

But as Karen went through her little UPdate, I was more and more impressed, and more and more humbled.  She told us that she’s retired, and they volunteer at a homeless shelter, an animal shelter, a women’s shelter, and the 5 Rivers Park or Reserve.  That much volunteering is a full time job.  While she was telling her story, the smile never stopped.  She seemed filled with joy.

Who knew the quiet girl with the sweet smile would have an impact like that?

Karen, volunteering is a great look for you…keep it UP.

(Note from UP – Fashion Friday is a little different today, you were all expecting a “trash-a-thon” of my high school graduating class, but alas – I’m not that cruel, plus, we looked fabulous!   This is probably the most heart-warming story to come out of the reunion…I hope it touched you in print as much as it touched me at the event.  I’ll be catty again next week!)

…at a 40th HS reunion can be fun!

Things I heard.

“I was pregnant at graduation!”

“You know, he’s a drinker.”

“I was pregnant in high school.”

“Oh, he’s not here because, well, he’s crazy now.”

“Jr. will be 40 next month, I got to walk because I wasn’t showing much.”

“Lord, can you believe how much weight she’s gained?”

“I got married right after high school because I was pregnant.”

“I think she’s had some “work” done!”

“We got married right after high school because I got her pregnant.”

“Oh, he’s better now that he’s quit drinking.”

“Yes, I was pregnant in high school.”

“Prison sucked.”

“I had the baby right after we graduated.”

Which leads me to ask, “Was I the only one not getting ‘any’ in high school?”

…Ok, just a few more years, and I’ll get off this reunion stuff…but so much happened, and so much was said…it was like a “blogapollooza”!

I got SOOOOOOOOO much material…sadly, some I’ll never be able to use.

But, this one, I got permission…

I met Konnie in the first grade.  We really didn’t become friends until high school where we had a many classes together, were in a few clubs together, she was in band, I was the band announcer…it was just too much trouble to carry that piano across the football field…and she hung out at, while Dan(ny) and I worked at The Booster.

We always had fun, she was always UPbeat, and she added something to the occasion each time.

She did the same Saturday night.

Bernie, her cousin (seems I’m the only person in Germantown without a cousin there!), and the Class President got everyone’s attention by banging on a pan with a spoon…very classy, but afterall, He was voted most likely to succeed, and “called us all to disorder”.

He then had each of us stand UP and tell a little about our selves.

A little – yeah, right, like that’s gonna happen with me.

When it got around to me, I talked about myself, my family, myself, what I was doing, myself, pimped the blog, and talked about myself.

And Konnie followed me.

She said, “I have always loved growing UP in Germantown, was happy to go to school here and raise my kids here too.  I feel so blessed that I live here, have all these friends, and am so happy that we are all able to see each other from time to time.”  She added, “I have a great life, and really feel lucky.”

I was speechless.  It’s all true,  but she left so much out.

She never mentioned that she’s been battling cancer for five years, suffered chemo for the same, and really doesn’t know what her future may bring.

But, she knows she’s blessed, she knows she’s happy, and she know’s she lucky!

What she doesn’t know, is that she’s an inspiration!

Thanks Konnie – for setting us straight!

Top 10 11 reasons why they didn’t go to the reunion.

1. I have nothing to wear.  No, you have nothing that fits!
2. No one will remember me.  No, you’re afraid they WILL remember you.  Shouldn’t  have been so “naughty” in high school!
3. It’s at a crummy place.  Actually, it was very nice, but the cops did show UP!  More on that later.
4. My old girlfriend/boyfriend will be there, and she/he isn’t over me yet.  Trust me, they’re over you, I think YOU’RE not over them!
5. I’ll be in China doing missionary work and teaching English to the masses.   Ok, that’s just lame!
6. I couldn’t get an affordable flight.  No, but you can fly to every U of M Football Game for the last 30 years!  Now, we know where we stand!
7. I was banned from the Eagles Lodge.  Hasn’t everyone been at one time or another?
8. I have to take care of my grandchildren so my daughter can work.  I’m sure there’s another stripper off tonight, and she can watch them!
9. If I miss anymore work, I’ll get fired.  Well, we wouldn’t want that to happen…AGAIN!
10. No one treated me very well in HS, and I don’t care if I ever see them again.  Listen you loser, I was stuffed in a locker everyday of my life for 12 years, dragged into the girls restroom, and got beat UP by a GIRL my Senior year…but after 40 years and $100,000 worth of therapy, I went!  You should have Manned UP and dragged your sorry ass self over there!
11. It’s not my work release weekend yet.  I can’t believe a guy as smart as you hasn’t figured out a way around that ankle bracelet!

But, we missed you anyway, and we talked about you too!