I grew up in Plymouth. Went to school here, worked here, learned to drive here, and prayed here. I love seeing my daughters walk down the same school steps I did. I love seeing my oldest march with the band down the same streets I did. This weekend was a great weekend to be in Plymouth, and I couldnt have been prouder.
The parade on Saturday was amazing. Well, once it got going it was. There was a significant delay and as we stood waiting I was concerned for Liz standing on Olmstead Terrace probably freezing her tush off. Once it got going it was great seeing all the floats that came down the street inbetween marching bands and bugle corps.
The floats were great this year with lots of detail. My favorite one was the Nathaniel Morton School replica. The images alongside the bottom of the float were photographs of my parents’ generation. It struck me that the phrase “where generations has learned” really applies at that school and about my family.
My mother and step-dad both graduated from high school at Nathaniel Morton. My sister went to 7th grade there. I spent 6th and 7th grade there, and met my dearest friend in Mrs. Humphrey’s class- Christy Thomas. I met Ken Horne, Joe Souza, Linda Maloof, Lisa Coveney, Summer Bucholz and Andrea Giracca there. Dana Beck was in my homeroom, along with Derek Gorman, Brian Hammond and Bonnie Blakesly. We used to watch movies in the common area outside the classrooms, we had our Olympics at the Plymouth Carver High school, and went on whale watches together. Jen Schroeder was in my class along with Sherry Greengross, Jed Benedict, Andrea Colucci and Josh Metta. The names bring me back to the dusty smell of the hallways and the cloakrooms. Some of these people became friends for life. Others I see around town and I remember them as they looked back then. Yeah, I know it’s 20+ years later but in my mind, you will always look the same to me with your collars up and jeans pegged.
Elizabeth went to kindergarten to the fifth grade at that school. I loved walking in and seeing it become a true elementary school. There was a great parents community there that I haven’t seen anywhere else. She had a great bunch of friends and had a great experience there. Her last day of fifth grade was bittersweet for me. She is the last of my family to attend that school.
As the marching band went by I saw that some of them were wearing pins and I saw the NMES on them. All of the kids who went to Nathaniel Morton were wearing pins celebrating the 100th anniversary. I was so proud of her and of that pin. To me it represented my mother, my step-father, my sister, and myself all walking those steps over the years.
I get the same feeling when I see Addie sit on the steps of Mt. Pleasant school. I met the best people at that school- Jill Furtado, Shayne Melchin, Peter Govoni, Jeff Parkhurst, Jeff Squillante, Chris Nadeux, Joe Pinzino, Skip Williams, Joanna Hoban, Colin Keohan and Jon Scharath. Some of these people I have remained friends with and have provided me with incredible support. It’s a blessing to see Addie enjoying it so much and I never get tired of standing in Mrs. Phillips’ old classroom. Of course, I can’t really be in there since it isn’t Addie classroom, but I didn’t have Mrs. Worcester so….
I love walking down main street and trying to remember what each business used to be and how the town looked back then. I love seeing the waterfront and running along the bike trail at Nelson Beach. Living in North Plymouth feels like it is the last piece of Plymouth that feels like….Plymouth. If you grew up here, you know exactly what I mean.
I came back here from Vermont so Elizabeth could know my grandparents and my family. I also came back to further my graphics career since I was so limited where we were. The icing on the cake has been seeing my children grow up here as well. I know my husband feels the same way about Rockland, and I am grateful and thankful for his sacrifice of staying here for me.
Seeing the Boston Strong floats, the Boston Police and the police car from MIT, I was so proud that they were included. Yes, the Red Sox one was pretty cool but seeing the marathoners- wow. Yes Boston is still 60 miles away but yesterday it felt like we were neighbors. It was awesome.
hopeinaheartshape 