The Notebook

It was guarded with our dear lives. It was courriered daily via a backpack slung over one shoulder, as was the 80's custom. (Only a complete geek would carry his/her backpack over both shoulders.) To the incognizant, it was just a pretty little something Sherrie and I were always scribbling in. But to us, it was The Notebook.

It was Sherrie's idea, and what an idea! Our senior year, we had so much to share. We were best friends. Part of our circle, Rachel, had moved away, so we were down to two. We had so many thoughts, so much we wanted to express, but who wanted to get caught passing notes? We both were conscientious students....well, for the most part. We decided to class up the traditional note passing by purchasing a decorative notebook. It's purpose was two fold: 1) we could quickly discern The Notebook from all others at a casual glance, 2) when we wrote in it, it looked like we were doing class work. Now granted, this idea is no longer new, but I can't help but feel that we pioneered this new method of the age old form of classroom communication.

I still remember the very first notebook. It was white with large black polka dots all over it. It was so near and dear to us, we did not scribble on the outside of if it like other notebooks. I didn't use it for anything else, nor did I whip it out and use it casually for fear of someone sneaking a peek at the contents.

We were faithful to our regiment. Sherrie and I met every morning at 7:30 am. We would sit in her car (sometimes mine) and before we would go to class, we would pass the notebook. By third period, we would pass it off again. And again by lunch, and usually, again by the end of the day. Naturally, someone would take it home. This routine lasted our entire senior year. To be honest, I'm not sure how many notebooks we went through. Sherrie, do you know? And if you do, do you have any of them?

Now I know some of you are thinking, "Big deal. A whole post on a notebook? All teenage girls write notes." That's true. But I was that teenager. And there's nothing like a trip down memory lane!

Within those pages, so many stories were told. Sure, we talked about shallow things, like, "Could her clothes be any tighter??" Or "He is Muy guapo!!!!" We were silly at times. We had the goods on other people and we knew it! That notebook held enough explosive secrets to fill a tabloid for a month!

But, it also contained painful confessions of two teenage girls trying to find their way in the world in which they lived. There were times we were crying to each other about our family problems. At times, we were "crying" about the problems we had with each other! Though I don't have the notebooks with me now, it would pang me to read some of the words I vaguely remember writing. What am I saying?!?!? I'd have a fit if ANYBODY read them now...except Sherrie of course.

There were a few times we both went into panic mode because one of us misplaced the notebook. Afterall, who would be comfortable with the thought of someone in the high school having access to your deepest, darkest thoughts? Talk about becoming the laughing stock of the school! Fortunately, it was always quickly recovered, usually shoved in Sherrie's or my locker.

Oh...The Notebook. I kinda wish I could get my hands on it. It would do my heart good to see what I said in my youth. If nothing else, it would serve as faithful reminder that age and growth isn't always a bad thing.