People

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THE TIMES of LESLIE GORE

Leslie Gore died the other day. Remember, “It’s My Party” and “You Don’t Own Me,” all the songs that made the “tween” and the teen girls cry?

It was a time of innocence: the Days of Camelot, a young handsome President with a glamorous wife; before the horrific assassination, before hippies, and Viet Nam; before the country had a nervous breakdown. And, I could care less about what was going on in the world. All I cared about was boys and being popular.

All the girls liked Bobby Winberry, but I fawned over Jerry Kmeciak, who didn’t even know I breathed. I yearned to be popular, in with the in crowd, a girl like Shirley Wasielewski, who had the blonde haired blue eyed look and charm that all the boys liked.

Instead I was a book smart nerd. Nobody gave me a second glance. With a pimple dotted face and a body clad in baby fat, everyone ignored me. They even made fun!

I was devastated! My popularity in this junior high society was almost zero. I envied all the popular girls with their bubble cut hairdos, clip-on hair bows, and nylon stockings.

I shrunk into loneliness and self-loathing. My teachers noticed my grades, but that was all the attention I got. In class I just wanted to fade into my wooden desktop chair.

The in crowd was out of reach, and so were the boys. Envy, the green-eyed monster soon embraced my soul; envy so deep that my heart stopped every time I saw Jerry Kmeciak; envy that caused fights between Mom and me about wearing nylons, white lipstick, and tight mini- skirts; envy so deep that I smiled and waved ridiculously at the popular crowd only to be rejected.

But, after the nation mourned the Kennedy assassination, a music phenomenon from England ravished the spirits of the “tweens” and the teens – the Beatles. Their rock and roll roots brought joy and unification to all the kids in junior high. Several friends (nerds, too) and I worshipped them. Parents were aghast but the kids were enthralled.

Today, the Beatles still reign as pop stars. But, teenage adulation has turned to other music forms.

I never became “popular” throughout my school time years. I never had a romance with Jerry Kmeciak. I never knew what happened to Shirley Wasielewski or even Bobby Winberry. But, I don’t envy them anymore. I learned what envy can do. It makes you ungrateful for the blessings God has given you.

Today I am married, and I still love books. No teachers grade or laud me, yet I am content with the life He has given me. My fanfare only belongs to Jesus.

Leslie Gore died. So did my youth and the nation’s age of innocence.

Sharon E. Eastman

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