One of the interesting things I find about Facebook is that it puts you back in touch with people you haven't even thought of for decades. I got a message from one such person this morning. It went something like this:
"Dear Dr. Geeky (he knew me when I used a diminuative form of the name I now go by,) great to see you on here! You seem to be doing well! Well that's no surprise... we always looked up to you since you're so smart and knew you would do well. Best of luck!"
I get this sort of thing from people I was acquainted with all the way up to high school at reunions and other places all the time. Mrs. Geek came back from my 20 year high school reunion last summer saying "and everyone said he was the smartest, person they knew in high school." The women often threw in the word "nicest".
Looking back on it, I feel now that I was being put onto a bit of a pedestal. I was the guy other students knew was on the "straight and narrow" path -- not the person you knew was a fun guy to hang out with. Part of how all that happened was my fault... I was shy, knew how to do well at schoolwork... the people part, well that eluded me.
The interesting thing is that I had a conversation with my Mom about all this. It seems that people treated her pretty much the same when she was in high school... and after. I found that comforting.
It does beg a question, though: do we all follow in our parents footsteps in ways we will never completely know?
I think so.
said drgeek
on 2008-10-28 at 8:59 p.m.
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