I recently came across one of the pics below as one of my old high school friends posted one of them on facebook and then I had come across another one of them a few months ago. Not that you have, but if you’re curious who I hung out with in high school, these pictures capture it pretty well. There’s a few really good friends from those days that aren’t in these pictures, but I spent A LOT of time with these guys.
I’m posting them because I’ve been thinking about them. My sister’s twins were born a stone’s throw from where I went to high school and I can’t help but be appreciative for them and the role they played in my life. I wouldn’t have known it back then, but that was a pretty formative time for me, particularly as it relates to culture. As I track my own journey, those years were part of the beginning of a larger journey and I think it’s a huge part of why I now am doing what I am doing – working cross-culturally.
I’m not in consistent contact with most of these guys anymore as we scattered to different colleges around the country, but I’ll always be thankful for their contribution to who I am today. They were a fantastic group of friends and very loyal, but through the diversity and the cross-cultural friendships they gave me a great gift in those years that continues to pay off today. So thanks guys!
This pic was taken in at my house during a tradition we had for a while. We would play tackle football (usually with about 18-20 guys) and then come to my house for pizza before limping over to watch the Long Beach Poly HS Football game at Veteran’s Stadium. I have great memories from those days!
This picture was taken on the hallowed grounds of Long Beach Poly – Home of Scholars and Champions. At least I was a scholar 🙂 Not too many championships for our baseball teams in those days.
Who’s impacted you in ways that you didn’t really know or appreciate until much later?
You might also notice in these pictures where I tend to be – in the back. Not much has changed over the years 🙂
Really good stuff, Brian. Those years were really formative for me too. Learned a ton that prepared me for life and ministry. They also taught how to back up throws from third to first 😉
nice…tried looking for a pic that had you and a few others, but I’m amazed at how few pics I have of that time. It was pre-camera phone and I’m sure a lot of people are thankful for that as they think about some of what they did in high school. High school today would seem to be unforgiving when it comes to photo documentation 🙂
I noticed you were in the back then laughed when i read that you wrote that. 🙂 I do think these pictures show a lot of how God was raising you up to do some of the things you are doing today.
Wow–takes me back! We were so young then. Great group of guys you all were.