HOW TO MAKE 40 FRIENDS O V E R L U N C H ?

Stellar! Absolutely Stellar! That is what my daughter
would say if she had been at the Annual Gathering of
the GOTCHA Girls this last Saturday at the Downtown
Restaurant In Texas City.
I was fortunate enough to be the guest of almost 40
vivacious, stunning, gloriously fascinating graduated of
Texas City High School from 1964, 1965, and 1966..
along with a couple of “honorary” members obviously
chosen for their ability to keep up with some of the most
gregarious, fun-loving, adventure seeking “lionesses” I
have ever had the pleasure to meet!
Back in May of last year, two young ladies wandered
in to The Post and we struck up a conversation which
would ultimately lead to the discovery of a group of lifelong
friends who became The GOTCHA Girls – Girls Of
Texas City High Alumni – back in 1964 and decided 17
years ago to breath life back in to that friendship begun
40 years prior. As I listened to their stories of trips to far
off places; scuba diving, haunted houses and road trips
with new “boyfriends”, I was struck by the absolute joy
that was so pervasive throughout the room. Stories of
loss, of illnesses, funerals with orange floral sprays with
the word GOTCHA on them; no matter what the story
was, it was told with such pride in the sharing. Whether
it was the telling of their participation – in full regalia
– of a parade for Little Leaguers, or how their founder
Dolores Geaslin Murray, saved the life of a friend by
getting her to join after the loss of her husband, the
theme running through every tale is that of friendship
and mutual respect, and support.
Dolores, the founder of the group, was their “Queen”
for 9 years and then graciously turned her crown over to
the fabulous Judy Holcomb Minter, here with Mary Beth
Porter-Meeker and Lila Lee Ziegermeyer-Muzik, who
has served faithfully for the following 8 years. I am so
grateful to Lila and Mary Beth for allowing me to experience
a phenomenon that is not often repeated but has
such value – and that is the desire and the ability to
maintain friendships over many, many years; steadfast
and true. There is quite a lesson here for most of us who
remember our high school days – fondly at times and
with some pain and regret, truth be told. The questions
are many. Do we hold on to the good memories and let
the hurtful ones pass away and do we define ourselves
still by who we were rather than who we have become?
Have we held on to our curiosity, expanded our horizons,
continued to seek out challenges and new adventures?
Do we
allow ourselves
to learn and
grow and share
our life experience,
knowing
that simply
“being there”
for someone
during difficult
times is often
the greatest gift
one can give
and receive at
the same time?
I had no idea,
when I walked in
to that room on
Saturday that I
would be bathed
in inspiration
and given a
refresher course
on living life to
the fullest.
So over the
next 52 Sundays,
we will feature a
story from one
of these remarkable
women. I
have given them
Carte Blanche to
share a significant time in their lives. They have lived
through The Texas City explosion, Carla, Segregation,
the Assassination of JFK, Viet Nam and many, many
more remarkable and life altering times. Take a minute
and read their story below and come back this Sunday
to hear more. I have a feeling we are all in for a bumpy
ride!