I am in a VERY weird –almost unparallelled — transition phase.
I feel almost pregnant with possibility. I’m getting out more, interacting more, and discovering that I really love it. It no longer feels like a chore, or like going against my introverted nature.
I wonder if I’m reclaiming the person I was as a very young child, before my parents tried to moderate my boisterous enthusiasm. It feels that way. It feels like I want to get out and PLAY again, without wondering or worrying if I will be viewed as “too intense,” “too boisterous,” “too loud,” or whatever.
Suddenly, at age 72, I really don’t care how what I decide to do “comes across” to others.
SCHOOL YEARBOOKS
Part of the reason for this, I surmise, is because I recently re-read the comments that school chums wrote in my yearbooks from 1966 to 1969. I felt pretty alone, isolated, and invisible as a teenager because I lived six miles out of town and didn’t interact much with the kids in Cle Elum.
Even so, what little I did — including during school hours and play productions — left positive impressions on many students in all levels of high school.
You’ve already read (in earlier posts) what my favorite teachers wrote in my yearbooks.(I’ll add a few below that didn’t make the earlier cut.)
Here are some of my Cle Elum schoolmates messages from the yearbooks (edited to their essences):
1966 Yearbook (when I was a freshman)
“Kris, best of luck at CHS and in the future. I want to say your column in the Sparks was really great! Be good this summer and hope to see you around!” – JoAnne
“Hi. Kris! Best of luck to a real sweet (and crazy!) girl.” – Dodie Canori
“Kris, Stay as sweet as you are and keep up the good work on the Sparks (if you take it up again next year. I hope you do, you do such a good job on it.)” – Cathy Capps
“Kris, I hope you work on the paper (Sparks) next year. They will need some experienced veteran to show them the ropes.” – Catherine O.
“Kris, Well, no more papers to get out. It’s a relief, isn’t it? You’re a real good writer and I think you should continue your column next year. You’re a nice person to work with.” – Verene
“Kris, you are a swell kid and a lot of fun.”- Pam
“Kris, it’s been great sharing lockers, even though ours was messy half the time! But that’s all the fun of it, huh? Stay sweet and keep writing those great stories. A friend always, Randine” (Starkovitch)
“Kris, you have a good head on your shoulders and keep applying yourself.” – Jim Peck
“To Kris, someone I will never forget. It is nice to have met you and I would like to get more acquainted in the future.” – Mike Mansfield
“Kris, you’re a real sweet girl and I’m glad I met you during our great Frosh year.” – Gwen
“Kris, You’ve been a really great friend this year. I hope you keep your sense of humor forever and ever. And keep writing those FAB stories!” – Charlene (Kauzlarich)
“Kris, Remember your cousin (Sprouse Ritz)? Boy, that was funny! Don’t forget my slumber party. You slept half the time. Maybe I’ll have another one. Stay awake so you don’t miss the fun. I’ll invite Linda and you can talk about Gary (Lewis). Thanks for all the great pix of the Beatles and everyone the past two years. Write and call once in a while.” – “George” (Rachelle Pardini)
“Kris, to a very sweet girl. I hope you had blast in your frosh year and will in all the years to come. Keep your good humor up.”– Shirley Alloway
“Anyway, Kris, you’re great– just stay the way you are and you’ll be a winner.” – Rita
“You’re a real nice kid.” – Steve Banich
“You are fantastic, heartwarming, friendly, lovable, sweet, and every other good adjective I can think of. ” – Kath (Randine’s cousin)
“Kris, I hope in the next three years you are as cheerful and nice as you are now. Stay that way for me and everybody. Love always, Val.” (Chase)
“You are real sweet (and I mean it) and your Sparks column is great.” – Audrie Vlaholovich
“Gee, we’ve sure had a ball together this year, haven’t we? (especially in Home Ec and PE). And I still think you’re the nearest person to Jerry Lewis I know (that’s a compliment!). ” – Jeri Francisco
“Now to get serious. I really can’t express what your friendship has meant to me, but I think you know. Here’s hoping we stay friends forever.” – Karen Kraft
“I hope you can become a comedian because I think you would be a good one.” – Kathy Kraft
“Kris, you’re a really wonderful person. I’ve enjoyed very much having you for a classmate and friend. I hope we can become better acquainted in the future.” – Evelyn
“Kris, don’t ever change! Stay just as crazy as you are. Keep up all your writing and art.”- Gayle Danko
“Stay as cute and sweet as you are now and you will get far in life.” – Marlys Sichelstiel
“I’ve had so much fun this year. I don’t know what I’d have done if I hadn’t met you. I still have that story you wrote for me. Thank you for listening to me when I rattle on and on about Gary (Rach gets sick of me). Love you 4ever, Linda”
1967 Yearbook
“Kris, I’ve had alot of fun knowing you the past two years. You’re a great girl with loads of talent. Be good and don’t ever change — stay the same always and I know you’ll go a long way. Love and kisses (Isn’t that nice?) Linda”
“”Kris, I will never forget the fun we had doing HAY FEVER. You really have a great personality and I hope to see lots more of you. I also expect to see much more of you in plays, etc. Maybe Broadway someday! Love, Marilyn”
“You’re the type of person that will go far in everything, Love ya, Colleen P.S.Ya did great in the play!”
“Those Sparks columns are just too great — just had to bring out your talent, huh? I wish you the best of luck always and with your talents you’re sure to have a lot! Love, Sue” (Giovenale)
“Dear Kris, It was fun working with you on the play. I hope you will become a part of future plays that Cle Elum puts on. Good luck, a fellow actor, Earl ’67”
“Well, old buddy, I know we haven’t done much together this year and we’re going to have to remedy that in the future (bowling, riding). Be good and stay as sweet as you are now. If you do, you’ll never have many problems. Love ya, Becky”
“It was a kick ridin’ the bus with ya!” – Nanc ’70
“Kris, you’re a real great kid and it’s been a blast knowing you. You have a great personality and sense of humor and I know you will succeed in whatever you do in life and acting, I wish you a lot of luck but am sure you won’t need it. Love, Audrie”
“I’m going on a campaign when I get out of school. It will be a “Kris for Comedian” campaign. See ya in the movies!” Candy ’68
“Good luck to a great kid. You were really good in the play!” – Sena Lund
“Kris, it’s been fun knowing you. You are one of the funniest kids I know and one of the nicest. Good luck in the upcoming years.” – Val
“Kris, with your talent maybe you’ll meet Jerry Lewis when you’re in Hollywood.’ – Erling Parlova
“Kris, I hope you get where you want to get.” Liz
“To a really sweet kid, best of luck in all you do. You were great in the play!” – Con ’68
1968 Yearbook
“If you keep your chin up and work hard, everything will eventually come your way. Best of luck always.” – Mrss Hoiness (PE teacher)
“You’re a really great volleyball player.I’m going to try to be in some plays next year. I hope you’re in them, too!” – Bonnie Sharp
“This year’s PE class was really a ball with you in it!” – Teri ’70
“Have loads of fun this summer and try to stay away from UFO’s. Remember all our fun in drama class and all the dumb things we did. See ya this summer on the Enterprise, Lorenzo ’70”
“Last year I didn’t even hardly know you — this year you’re a full-fledged friend. And an everasting one, too! You’ve only got one more year to go and then the Smith-Dobbs Laugh-In will split up and you will go into the everlasting cruel world. Love always, Launa Thompson”
“Kris, I hope you can enter journalism or something to use all your talents. I hope you get to do what you really want to do in life. A friend always, Erling Parlova”
“Dear Kris, you are one of the sweetest persons I know. I hope you stay that way forever and ever. Don’t forget all the laughs we had. Long live Spocky-poo, Drama class, Jer and Etc. Especially Mr. Etc! – Love, Val”
“Kris, you are one of the bubblingest people I know. Just be sure and stay that way. Thanks for your friendliness.” – Barb Gladson
“Dear Kris, you know you are a real talented comic. Remember me when you are a famous star of TV and stage. I’ll trade you my calmness for it. Good luck in the future. Remember to help me get a job in entertainment. I’ll appreciate it!” – Duane Lindoff
“Never lose that great personality and sense of humor cuz happiness is the best thing in life.” – Love Kathy
1969 Yearbook
“You are lucky because you have so many, many friends who really care what happens to you. You have such a groovy way of making troubles fade into nothingness and sorrows run and hide. I know that if I hadn’t known you and your wonderful personality I would have been a totally different person. Never forget all the fun that we’ve had: Star Trek, Dye Your Blood Green, DeForest (Hi, Bones! We luv ya!), staying up to all hours dreaming of Sam the Man (Sammy Davis Jr). Thanks for the introduction. I know you will succeed in whatever you do because you are made that way! Never forget me. And Dobbulas! Live Long and Prosper, Corky (Corean Scott)
“To a real sweet girl with a great personality. I loved working with you in the play and going to school with you.” — Gil Jacobs
“Dear Kris, Well, we made it through the years at CHS. I’m sure gonna miss you because you’re a real sweet kid with a great personality.Remember all the fun we had in Social Studies and World Problems, especially our singing! It was a real pleasure knowing you and I wish you all the best in whatever you do. Love, Cena”
“Kris, what can I say? I hope we make it you know where (professional Hollywood careers). When we are apart during the waiting period I will miss you lots. If I write what I want, I will have tears in my eyes. Love, Val.”
“Please keep on writing and acting. So when you become famous I will know you. Please write and call me this summer and next fall. I will be at Wenatchee Junior College. Love, Cathy Capps”
“Kris, good luck in the future. Remember all the fun we have had together in the play and just any old time. Here’s wishing you the best of success in the future to a real swell kid. – Willie Demchuck ’70
“Dear Kris (Krazy Kris!) You’re going to be a successs in life because you’re the type who’s always smiling and doesn’t let anything get you down. You’re a great comic and you’ll someday be a big, grand, and great star! Be good forever~ Love, Duane Lindoff ’70”
“Well, it’s been great, hasn’t it? You are a great gal and you have a great personality. Good luck in all you do. Love, Sue Rossetti”
“Kris, Don’t worry, you’ll reach that unreachable star. I mean it, you’re going to go far. You’ra a real great person and it’s been fun knowing you. Stay like you are now and you’ll make a great comedian. Mary Landes ’70
“I’ll always remember our fun times in PE. Also, you were a real good Mrs Paddy in “The Curious Savage” (play). Love, Nadine”
“Dear Kris, Good luck and it was a pleasure giving you our award.” – Mrs. Sandrette, President of Eagles Auxiliary
“My Dear Chris (sp), You are indeed a rare young lady. What a pleasure it has been to have known you. Be true to yourself always! The fruits of such commitment are without end.” Chuck Olson (teacher I loathed for violating my personal space, ooglng my chest, and telling me I had four career choices because I was female. I wrote about him in earlier blog posts and in my book WOMB MAN) (He didn’t even bother to spell my name right in this message to me.)
“It’s been great knowing you. My only wish is that I would have met you sooner. I sure am going to miss you. A lot! You’re closer than a sister to me. Hope the feeling is mutual! You’re going to be a big success in whatever you do. You’ll be a great credit to the world. Love, Fredie”
“Dear Kris, (from my sister Jackie), I really haven’t meant all the mean things I’ve said about you. You are the greatest sister anyone could have. (Really.) I’m not just saying that, either. Best of luck in all the things you do.”- Jackie
“To a great and very talented gal. Best of luck, Carroll Marchant (teacher)
“Stay as sweet are you are now and always keep your sense of humor ’cause if you keep that, you can do and go through all of life. I know you’ll be a great actor or writer one of these days. Live long and propser (Pas tak) Luv, Launa Medved P.S. Don’t forget all the fun we’ve had in high school and doing the plays. Thanks for all you’ve done for me this year.”
“What can I say after reading the rest of these brilliant comments. Keep as nice as you are.” Dorothy Ruhl (Melody Ruhl’s mom)
WOW!!!
Why on earth did I feel so alien to these folks?
Oh, yeah. Because I was transgender (before I knew that was a thing and that there were other people like me struggling with the same issue) and I thought IF they knew, they would (most likely) run screaming for the exits.
As it turns out, these folks embraced me far better than my own family did when I came out seven years ago. They had held all these wonderful memories and affectionate feelings for me all these years, and they poured them all out, in spades, when I had my chest masculinization surgery several years ago. You just never know who’s going to have your back and love you , no matter what kind of curve ball you throw at them.
Well, I KNOW NOW and I plan to visit Cle Elum a lot more in the future than I have in the past so I can hang with my forever friends!!!
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR!
P.S.Strangely enough, of the three plays I was in in high school (The Curious Savage, Hay Fever, and the Wall to Wall War) only the one below made it into a yearbook. I was hoping to find images of all of them, so this is disappointing….
