MICHELLEISMS

I had dinner and drinks yesterday with some old friends from high school.  It’s funny cause we reconnected through FaceBook when one of them hit me up and was like, “is this the same Michelle, I camped out for Prince tickets with?” When I got that note, I laughed and laughed cause it was one of those memories I’d totally forgotten. It’s funny how life has a way of prioritizing your memories. After one bad marriage and one horrible-drama filled relationship, I think my brain categorized all those fun memories somewhere waaayyy in the back. I honestly couldn’t remember most of the stories that we talked about until reminded of certain people or actions, but once the floodgates were open there was no turning back. We hadn’t seen each other in years but it felt like old times as we reminisced about fun times growing up in the “A”.

My two friends and I talked about growing up in the SWATs (southwest Atlanta for you non-ATLiens) and how we got in trouble time after time. We talked about parties in the valley…hanging out at Greenbriar’s Gold Mine…and fun times at Five Points.  As we reminisced, I realized what a spoiled brat I was back then and immedately felt the need to call my Mom and apologize.

[Sidebar] My mom and dad had gotten divorced when I was 5 and she moved my sister and I to Atlanta (from Memphis, TN) to persue her career.  As I grew older I became more and more resentful of Mom for moving me away from my Dad and I acted out…in a big way. I came and went as I pleased. I did whatever I wanted to do and I felt like I ran ATLANTA!

As a single working mom, she often worked late and I was a latch-key kid who had money in my pocked and a whole lotta free time. Daddy would send me cash and I would happily spend it all on movies at Greenbriar and/or crazy “A”zzz flourescent sweaters, izods and polos. Instead of coming straight home from school, I’d hang out at the mall with my friends or go on excursions on the MARTA bus.

Life was good and God was obviously with me. Looking back, I was way too oblivous of the dangers of the outside world. As a teenaged girl growing up in the “A” the world was mine as long as I had a bus pass.  When I realized there was a whole universe outside of Greenbriar mall and that I could actually GET THERE on my own there was no stopping me!

As we proceeded to laugh loudly and disturb all the other guests at Dugan’s, we made a promise to get together again and to possibly put all our experiences in writing.  We have stories that are way too crazy to be made up, but have decided to change some names to protect the *cough* innocent. Like that time I was a freshman hanging out with some senior chicks who wanted to go out clubbing. We were all drinking and me, being the youngest one there thought I was just too cool! When we arrived at the club everyone but me hopped out the car. I sat there frozen and then began to cry.  I mean…really BOO-HOO…and I screamed “I don’t wanna go in THERE!” with tears streaming down my face. Do you know those heffas left my crybaby “A”zzz in the car while they went in the spot! My young drunk “A”zzz ended up falling asleep in the back seat so I don’t know how long they left me there. All I remember is my friend waking me up once we got to her house.

I love Atlanta…I really do. And I would trade my crazy childhood for nothing in the world! *sigh*  More ATL war stories coming soon. I can remember them now! LOL!