I have talked at length about how I wanted to be like Connie Jackson, so I won’t go over all of what you already know. Anyway, I started to think it never really happened at all. I thought maybe I dreamed it or as my Uncle Chuck Francis quoted Mark Twain as saying:
“When I was younger I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not, but my faculties are decaying now, and soon I shall be so I cannot remember anything but the things that never happened.”
The proof in the form of a picture… or two, came to me quite by accident. Connie’s brother unknowingly verified what might make some think I’m not quite right. Eddie emailed some photos from our yearbooks because I lost mine.
There it was staring at me…The proof!
Exhibit A
No one else that year had the same cut. I actually looked through a couple of yearbooks while I was at the reunion and came up with nothing.
Exhibit B:
Another picture of Connie with the “do”… Connie with Leslie Kell, Marilyn Kinsley, Doug Koester, and Tommy Kerlin. (I saw Tommy Kerlin at Dean Lindquist’s birthday party, which was the same week-end as the reunion. He lives in Sturgis and rides a really beautiful motorcycle. I wish I had a motorcycle like Tommy’s.)
Exhibit C:
I couldn’t keep up with Connie’s clothes and shoes because she had too many. I had to just pick out a few like her’s. I went to work at the Frosty like Connie, but she quit so that didn’t exactly work out. Do you think I’m a manipulator? Mom always told me not to push the river. It flows. I think that was her way of saying I try to manipulate outcomes.
When I was at the reunion, I saw Karen Ferdig (Snyder). She was one of my best friends in High School. I asked her if she had figured out, that I had been a Connie wannabe. She said she hadn’t realized it..(then). Karen looks the same as she did 46 years ago.
Karen and her beautiful granddaughter, McKenzie talking with Eddie Jackson at the reunion (I like her white pants. I wonder where she got them?)…on your right.. Karen’s Senior picture.
Anyway, I’m sure glad I got over that nonsense of wanting what everybody else has.
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Connie would have been 66 today. We lost all three of these women to cancer. They each had three children. All were very special people. They are missed by those who are lucky enough to have known them.
Let it never be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment that was known as Camelot.
They were all shining stars, but their moment was far too brief.
Those 70ish Girls 
Very sad. I didn’t realize that Eunice had passed away as well. These three ladies still seem like they should be little girls to me. Shocker.
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So sad. I was looking at the picture of 5. Leslie Kell and Doug Koester died young too.
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Their death is the only thing that makes me glad I didn’t know someone better.
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I think Frances Johannsen is the only one who has died from our class.
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Great story
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Thanks Guy. If you haven’t read the earlier Connie Like stories, do. I was a regular Connie groupie.
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You write so poignantly about the wonderful times in school and idolizing friends, seeing them again at the recent reunion, and remembering those who are gone, but they’re still there because we “remember the things that never happened” so they are still with us. Great pictures.
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It can be overwhelming emotionally
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I know. Hard to turn off the emotional bond.
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Really enjoyed this article, as I always get a kick out of your stories about wanting to be Connie-like. After seeing her beautiful pictures, I understand why, although you were not so bad yourself! Very sad that she and two other of your beautiful friends are no longer with us.
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They live in our hearts Sherri. Thanks for your kind comments
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I got to see my cousin Connie just a mere 6wks before she died and she looked and felt fabulous; she was high school skinny; so happen to be through with treatments; so looking forward to having her nails done………….and “boom” she was taken from us. She was always one of my heros and YES, I always wanted to be like her too.
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You are right about that cuz. She thought she was going to win that battle and she loved getting her nails done.
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This was for Connie’s birthday and to remember Stephanie and Eunice. I have another Connie story, that I’m not quite ready to write yet.
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Can’t wait Murdo Girl. I am sure it will be top notch. You have a special gift.
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She was unique and special Christine
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Did you see her in South Dakota Christine? I know she lived in California, but just wondered if she came back to Murdo before she got sick again. I’m glad you got to see her feeling good.
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Not in SDak but here in Phoenix. One of her sons was here visiting; she and b/f drove over from CA.
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How wonderful Murdo Girl! Connie would have been proud!! I certainly miss her.
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There is another Connie story to write. Hopefully it will all come together soon.
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