In this week’s edition of “50 Thoughts for 50 Years”, I am exploring probably the most favorite year of my youth…1988. Not only was this the year I graduated high school but it was also the year I left for college. While I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for my hometown of Livingston in Polk County Texas, there was no one more ready to leave than me. It had provided a safe harbor to grow up but it was now time to let the wind inflate the sails as I ventured into the world.
I remember the growing anticipation of graduation in the Spring of 88. It simply couldn’t arrive fast enough for me as I was ready to begin the next phase. Before doing so, I still had my final tennis season as well as plans to work the first half of the summer at the pool before heading off to the Tennis Tech Program at Tyler Jr. College. Paired with John Cathey, we would torch district play on our way to regionals. We were heavily favored in the tournament, which was being held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. It was set up to feel like a home match for us. However, mother nature was not so kind and we went through multiple rain delays before finally playing our final match against Brenham late that night. It was windy, cold, and wet. All that said, we felt we were the better team even if the outcome didn’t show it. I have to give credit to the boys from Brenham as they were able to deal with the elements better and eventually move on to the state tournament. Johnny and I were both gravely disappointed as our high school career had ended but deep down we knew the juice had been worth the squeeze.
Later in May, along with my fellow 187 seniors, the Class of 1988 walked across the stage in Livingston High School’s auditorium. Again, with mother nature at work, the rains forced our gradution indoors but that didn’t hamper the exultation of graduation. I remember seeing everyone running through the halls to hug family and friends. My grandparents threw me a wonderful party and along with Johnny, James Lowe, and a few others, we party hopped to everyone’s houses to celebrate. We had done it! We finally checked off the high school box and were headed for college.
This is where the story really begins because I went from what I perceived to be a big fish in a small pond to being a very small guppie in an ocean. What I defined as cool in Livingston was not even remotely considered cool at Tyler Jr. College. To be clear, my idea of style was tennis shorts and a t-shirt so there was massive room for improvement. While I still consider this a pretty cool attire to this day, my wardrobe at the time needed a major upgrade for what was to come. The realization of this came about during orientation where everyone was rocking fashion forward gear. I remember hearing the Pixies for the first time at TJC and the song that stuck out was “Where Is My Mind?” (click to listen). Little did I know that a few short hours later after orientation, I would attend a party at one of the frats and literally was asking myself that exact question! Rumor has it I may have been slightly inebriated, dancing on top of an AC unit while running as much smack-talk I could to every girl that came by.
Back to orientation, during one of the segments, a professor came in and rudely stated: “sit down and shut up!”. I was stunned at the abruptness but before I could come up with some smart ass remark I heard the kid next to me say “Dang, this lady crawls right up your ass!” in a deep Texas-Oklahoma (aka Savoy, TX) twang. At that moment, I instantly knew this dude was going to be a good friend. That voice belonged to the one and only, some say legendary, Lance Esmond Cornell.
To say Lance Cornell is one of the craziest people I have ever met would be a gross misrepresentation. My-man Lance is the mold by which all party animals are made. He had a preacher’s smile and the devils laugh. Within the first few minutes of meeting him, you instantly want to hang out and party. He is as genuine as the day is long and will always bring a smile to those around him. I honestly struggle to recall half of the antics we pulled during those years at TJC. Some, probably most, was self-induced but any debauchery I participated in was sure to have Lance right there along with me. Again, questioning on many occasions “Where Is My Mind”. He and I may have lost a few steps over the years but put us together for one night and look the heck out!
To this day Lance remains a cherished friend who always remembers to call on birthdays and without fail, brings a huge smile to my face. As a way to honor our friendship, I named my second son, Lance Tyler after the famous, one of kind, Lance I met in Tyler back in 1988. I’m fairly certain that anyone that has ever met him will have a wonderful story to tell that is laced with tons of humor.
I often look back on 1988 and think about the spectacular memories that were made. I couldn’t recognize it then but see now we were at the end of our innocence. Leaving high school behind and taking that first real step towards adulthood. This was our opportunity to set sail and really start to expand our minds to the massive possibilities in front of us. I had so much to learn and credit this year where my eyes were truly open.
20 of 50 - 1988