This is the front window to the Stevens Avenue Congregational Church. In my formative years it was memorable for two reasons. Once at their annual auction, Leo got a double bed for a bid of 22¢. We lugged it to his house, and he actually set it up and slept on it that night. Amazing! The second incident leads one to ask the question: how does one go from a introvert to an extrovert almost over night? The first teen dance that I ever attended was in the basement rec center of this church. All the guys were pretty excited that Friday night. Me? Something was up in my stomach. I wanted to be a part of it, but I really had no idea what I was in for. Venturing down the stairs, we were met with lots of members of the opposite sex in dresses, like it was a real big deal. I was probably dressed in jeans and a clean t-shirt. As you can see I had no real idea what this night was all about. We headed for the punch bowl, and tried to look sophisticated and cool, sort of our version of 'rebel without a cause'. A couple of the gang broke with 'the plan' and went over and started talking to a couple of the girls. They actually were smiling! Leo and Skip both looked like they were ready to move to the dance floor. Good grief! What was happening? My teen world seemed to be spinning a bit out of control. That was when it dawned on me that I was in way over my head. I made an excuse, ran upstairs and headed home in the darkness. I was embarrassed. I wasn't ready for that. At least not yet. Did I actually think that the naive introvert would survive the night and have fun? I'll never forget that night. Ever! These days, this extrovert would just love to travel back for a second chance at that night and those gals in their pretty, pink dresses.
But as they say, sometimes you only get one shot.
This was one of those nights!
You should re-write the story : what if?.. and go till this end , to see what would have happened. What If I did not run away? and she'd come to me smiling? and I'd took her hand? and we'd danced all night together?.....
ReplyDeleteAnother great memory so beautifully describe that I can picture those stairs. You also jogged another memory in me when my mother signed me up for dancing lessons at the local YMCA. That was one awkward experience. None of us, boys or girls, had any idea what we were supposed to get out of those lessons.
ReplyDeletea huge 'awwww...'
ReplyDeleteWhat suffering the teen years were -- barbara
ReplyDeleteYou are a very funny person. So, now you're an extrovert? Yeah, I see what you mean!
ReplyDeleteThat's life - and I'm sure you are not the only one with that experience on your CV.
ReplyDeleteFabulous story! If only we could go back to those teen times now! It feels like I would have much more fun and worry about nothing.
ReplyDeleteI think the teen years are very uncomfortable, one reason I would never want to go back in time. Just thinking about it makes me feel queasy. :)
ReplyDeleteNow that surprises me. I would've expected you to jump right into the fray. How poignantly you capture that time tho.
ReplyDeleteGosh! I had forgotten how difficult it was to grow up .. attending dances was not easy at the beginning of the transition in adolescence. I liked the bed story...you guys had tolerant parents. Good looking' church in the photo.
ReplyDeleteYou don't want to go back. The path you were on was the path you were intended to be on, and it got you Elenka.
ReplyDeleteNow, about teen dances, let me tell you about the night there was a ladies' choice and upperclassman Donna came over and asked me to dance . . .
Great post. Great shot of the church too.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jack about getting to Elenka. And I wish that I could remember my youth as well as you do, Birdman. I love that you share these memories with us, you extrovert you. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I understand...
ReplyDeletebirdman i love this story. thank you.
ReplyDelete