Tuesday, September 18, 2012

September 18th 1969: The Day I Changed

 I don't really like talking about myself in this Blog. I prefer to more report. But  on this day I have decided to speak for a moment about a personal day long ago in my self history. On this date 43 yrs ago I returned late from an expanded summer vacation and a failed business opportunity to Maple Hill High School in Schodack N.Y. 12033. I wanted to drop out get a GED and end my relationship with this brand of formal education. Well it didn't work out I had returned home to angry  and rather frustrated parents. Through a combination of threat and  some bribery I was brought around to going back for my senior yr. So on this date I returned about two weeks late. This date if you research it has not been a day of great historical impact. But it was for me. I was to find out over  that school yr how many people conspired to  get me to return.  Martin Singer , Dr. Kimoblot my Aunt Marian etc. Singer was my guidance councilor and he smoothed the transition.  So that strange combination of arm twisting and  gentle conversation I returned to a place I had not been  to in over a yr. The previous yr I had been in a boarding school. Within a week I somehow changed or matured enough , whatever , to settle in. Through friendship and good people I  resolved to push on in a newer direction. So in an odd way this was one of the most important  days of my life.  In my future career in Human Services and Education  aware of it or not I often encouraged people to find a day of resolve and  move on and regroup and go forward.  A day like Sept 18th 1969. So I wish to simply say thank you to all those who were there for the guidance and especially friendship. A common day in America but a most uncommon one for me. The day when the gears were set in motion for a full life to come.