Julie Tenold

"MEMORIES" from Jerry Millard

As I reflect on our Jr. High days in Central School I think of a cute young lady who made the days seem to fly. I think most of us in 7th grade fell in love with Julie Tenold off and on over our last five years of school but nothing ever equals the days of our 7th grade.

Julie and I fell in love as one would expect for 7th graders. We would splurge and hit the movie on Sat. afternoon and try to figure out what to say so we didn't sound like someone right out of the pumkin patch. Just holding hands would send shocks through one's body and mind but of course you would not dare to show it. Since Julie lived on 7th Ave. North near the cemetery, several times we would sneak over there and kiss behind the bushes. Now you must remember kissing then was not quite like it is today. I can remember closing my eyes, with my hands behind my back , lean over and most of the time I would plant my kiss on the cheek, nose or even a shoulder once in awhille. When the Gods smiled on me and I kissed her on the lips my heart actually jumped out of the body.

Then to carry the romantic love affair even further we would test the our nerves in the church choir. With the long loose fitting choir robes we would always march to the front of the church as cherubs and then we had it figured out how to hold hands using the large bulky sleeves to hide our love affair. I think ever at our confirmation group in the spring of our freshman year Julie and I stood in the front row at the front of the church and giggled about holding hands but since our passionate love affair was probably over by then I don't remember holding hands at that time.

There were quite a few 56er class rumbles in Clear Lake and Julie made several of them from her home in California. One rumble will always stand out and to some of the 56ers who watched a small gesture from Julie that really showed how much of a saint she really was. During the evening portion of the rumble Julie had worn a beautiful pants suit that everyone spoke of and adored. One person at the rumble really admired the suit but never in her wildest dreams could ever hope to have a suit anywhere near as nice. Julie must have sensed the person's admiration because when everyone returned the next day to continue the rumble Julie had the pants suit cleaned and gave it to that person as a gift. Needless to say the tears flowed in appreciation and no one will ever forget the gesture by Julie.

At Julie's memorial service at the church in Clear Lake, the 56ers who were there got the great opportunity to meet two of the three beautiful daughters Julie and Al have. I finally got my nerve up to tell them they actually were partly my daughters and before they all fainted I had a chance to explain my position with them. I told them Julie actually left me at the alter in 7th grade and I waited right in front of the alter for over 50 years but Julie forgot where she had left me so their real Dad was the one who was blessed with the family. I am so tickled the girls did not have to reach very far to see through this old man with love.

I did get to hold Julie's hand one more time on her final journey to sainthood. Al and the girls invited Pat and I to take Julie's ashes out and spread them on the lake as Julie had requested. Several times over the last years of Julie's life she would ask about lake property for sale in Clear Lake as she wanted to come home and just talking about it seems to soothe her aches and pains. As I held Julie's hand for the last time in the middle of Clear Lake I had a terrible time with the salt truck sitting in my drive just as it is this morning cuz I can't seem to stop the tears.

Julie, many many tears have been shed by 56ers whose lives were touched by you. I can't think of a much nicer tribute and many thanks for bringing so much love to our class.

My prayer today is that one day you and I will meet behind the bushes one more time and I would be thrilled to close my eyes and plant one more kiss even on your shoulder. Thanks dear Julie and we will all love you forever.