Looks like autumn has arrived in the Texas Panhandle. It’s a bit chilly outside, and it’s been raining on and off all day. There hasn’t been a heavy downpour, just a gentle rain along with the quite rumble of some thunder. It’s the perfect lazy day!

Last night, I went to my alma mater, Kress High School’s homecoming game. I rarely go to the game since I’ve been out for going on my 22nd year – yikes! – and I don’t have any children in this school. When I do go to a high school game, I go to Lubbock High, where my niece marches with the band.

So I’m at the game, and not many people are there. It’s a small community and the school only fields a six-man football team. If you’ve never seen a six-man football game, imagine you get rid of most of the line. It’s strange, but it’s also a lot more face paced. If you ever have the chance to see one, I strongly urge you to check it out.

While I’m in the stands, watching my old team get beat, I decide to head to the concession stand for something to drink, hot chocolate or coffee. It was cool and windy, and I thought a warm beverage would be in order. While I waited in line, two of my Class of ’94 classmates found me. It had been over twenty-one years since I last saw them. On the one hand they both looked good. I hope they thought the same about me.

We visited for a while, all thoughts of a drink forgotten. I’m glad we ran into each other, and I hope we get together again soon, but I can’t believe how much they changed in the interim! When I consider where I’ve been since high school, with all the ups and downs, I guess I’ve changed a lot, too.

It’s a shame that you lose touch with people you grew up with. I spent everyday for years with them, and all the others in my class. I haven’t remained close to any of them. Sure, I have most of them on Facebook, but that doesn’t replace actual physical interaction. I realized who much you lose as you move along through life.

I wish more of my classmates could have been there, but I’m not surprised that there weren’t more. I’m more surprised that any were there to begin with. We left a little before the third quarter ended. One of my classmates left to go to work, the other didn’t want to be there alone. Me, and my brother and father, also decided to go. The game wasn’t going well, and we really didn’t have a reason to stay. I just wish I could have bought that cup of hot chocolate.