Jeff Harris:  

Life Life... You know, as I read a few bio's I contemplate that most folks have bad memories of high school in particular, and those years' become defining ones in the choice to face them or suppress them. I was mostly in the latter category until with age and time I have come to realize that the good out weighed the bad. We are bound by every experience we shared, we can't remove the memory cells and with time I have come to savour most memories and welcome the 'do over' of the bad ones that life provides us each day. Like at least 50 percent of you I have suffered a failed marriage. I know what it's like to bury my father. I've survived financial difficulty. I've succumbed to the lure of money, shiney things and knowledge. I have come to notice that what's important is the people I spend time with. I really miss you all but realize that I can't stay back there. I choose to enjoy and engage the friends I have now in spirit and in truth. You will always be a part of me as I will with you, and this acceptance makes a difference in my day to day life. My youth relishes the thoughts I keep of: the Forest Brothers, Bob Hudson, Bart Schuller, Mary Lou Kelly, Kris Anderson, Brian Watson, Scott Amy, Kerri MacPherson, Brad Gerrie, Mark Dennis, Lyman Smith, Rod Saunders, Cindy Eaves, Jim Brown, Andrew Wilson, Kevin Paczay, James Calder, Elise Tupy...to mention a few...and you too:) School As I reckon, I think school and I were set up from day one, to be at odds with one another. I remember my first day of school at Rockwood Centennial was met with much angst and tears as I was plucked from my care free, obligation absent life. Mother had to escort me - a rarity in those days, especially when I lived not 2 blocks away. Suddenly, things were being expected of me. I was inserted amongst people I did not want to especially know. My world was exploding. My fondest memories are not of classroom events but of school ground ones. I really enjoyed collecting hockey cards and then trading them with my chums. I enjoyed bus trips. One to Guelph to see the original film 'Oliver'. Other trips were to Toronto where I remember going past the Carling plant singing the Black Label song with our thumbs stuck out like the commercial of that day. My first best friend was my neighbour Ricky Gooyers. He was a gregarious valiant boy who skated like the wind and never wore socks in his skates. We were blessed living next to the town outdoor rink and we played every night after school in winter and at the old school ground across from Neil McMynn's in the other seasons. Rick McNabb became my best friend in school as we were in the same class and we took to each other. We enjoyed the pretty girls in our class and getting into mischief whenever warranted. Rockwood was a great village to grow up in. It provided all the best adventures for a young boy. It had a river, a train trestle, a conservation area, Fred Meadows' BP, Pearl's 5 & Dime, and of course the famous Saunders Bakery. Scenes right out of "Stand By Me". Warm summer days and freedom on 2 wheels meant no boundaries for me and my gang of explorers. Innocence personified. Then we moved to Belwood when I was done grade 5. My sister and I started as the new kids to John Black. New friends awaited in the form of Brian Watson, Scott Amy and the gang. I seemed to get along with every one and Mr. Sullivan brought a cheeriness to the everyday grind. I remember Gary Sullivan being in a bad snowmobile accident and missing some school - lucky dog. I only got my finger broken by Murray McDonald while playing a full contact game of hockey at lunchtime in the parking lot. Off to the doctor and I had a splint on for several weeks. Scott Amy and I spun our imagination in English as we created one short story after another displaying our active imaginations in the process. Ruler hockey in the gym was the favori...Expand for more