A Moment in Time

Both of these people are now responsible adults. But for that moment in time, there was no job. There were no children. There was no one asking, "What time will you be home?"

I keep trying to explain this to the baby and I think I just frustrate him. He doesn't get it and I shouldn't force it.

Those were the days.

Olan Mills

Do you remember when everyone had their photo taken at Olan Mills? It was like buying jeans at Sears -- a given. It seems kind of quaint in this digital age.

I'm struck by the fact that they allowed you to bring your pet -- that's my childhood dog, Candy, in 1975. They allowed you to bring your signs -- that's part of my college gang circa 1982.

A few years ago, the baby and I had our photo taken at church. You guessed correctly -- Olan Mills.

Fliers

When I was a cheerleader, they did not use this term. When both my goddaughters did it, they were fliers.

Fliers stand at the top of the pyramid and count on the people below to catch them. Fliers get tossed around. In their 40s, fliers get picked up by big men and swung around the dance floor. Fliers are the little people who get pulled under the table.

College football was massive in my day. We had a crummy team but we were there supporting our guys. I hope they don't do this anymore but it was normal for some big guy to pick me up and start passing me through the stands. I loved all these guys and for a wimp like me, I was never scared.

I've always had big guys to save me.

The Real Wife

Some of us have been married more than once. It may not be something to be proud of but in my case (and the husband's) it's built a little character. There were lessons to be learned and I tried to pay attention.

Many years ago, a bunch of my college friends got together. People flew in from all over the country because this was our group. People were sharing photos of new children and spouses we'd never met. The man I married first was there and he and his wife had just married. Someone asked her, "Is this your first marriage?" Her husband, (my ex) said, "This is her only marriage."

It did not hurt my feelings. I thought it was classy. I wanted to pull her in a corner and say, "Aren't you blessed?"

I still keep in touch with his parents. Occasionally, I call or email him if something has happened to one of our college friends. His mother celebrated a big birthday last year; the husband and I were included. They took a huge family photo out on the porch and insisted that we were included.

She is his real wife. I was the starter package.