Chester Meek:  

I don't imagine many would remember me. I think that I was quiet and withdrawn while in school. However, I have had one individual suggest that others thought of me as being stuck-up. In truth I tried a lot of different things to fit in. I was in the Art club (I enjoyed drawing but I did not fit in with the club), I ran on the cross country team in the 11th grade and discovered that I was not nearly as fit as I thought I was, I hung out with the smokers that gathered in the yard across from school in the mornings. Mostly I just stayed to myself. I came to Albany High from a children's home in Sylvester, Ga after Martha and Jack Jones took me into their home to live. I only remember one person that I really felt that I knew well at school and most everyone else I knew were acquaintances through her. In my mind she was the smartest, kindest, and prettiest girl at school. Those who do know me will know who I am referring to. She broke my heart when she said that she just wanted to be friends. How was I to know at the time that it was her friendship that was going to guide me back to my senses when I was too screwed up to realize the self defeating direction that I had chosen. I could not have been aware of how her friendship was the one constant that helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life. I have no doubt that she, herself, is not fully aware of the value of her friendship to my life though I have tried to be appreciative of her through the years. There is something good to be said for being just friends if true friendship is the reward. Since high school I have done nothing to speak of but it has been an interesting ride. I have held more jobs that I can ...Expand for more