Vandy & the Award Winners
XX
Vandy's Kids
The Stage Production
"Make new friends, keep the old
One is silver, the other is gold"
-- from a Brownie Scout song
A recent mini-reunion of my high school class was certainly awash in gold. Most of us met in the first grade and grew up in the same rural Indiana school until graduation in 1965.
Since then, our lives have taken us in different directions; we met challenges, disappointments and success in our own way. I had not seen many of my classmates since graduation; it was a thrill to see that they were much the same as they were back then – still fun loving, bright, interesting, and fully engaged in life.
It was gratifying to see that we had all learned to shine in our own way. From the Army Lt. General to the talented musician, from the successful business owner to parents of happy well balance kids.
A helicopter pilot, a church pastor, a HS teacher, a school nurse, a church secretary, a doctor, a resort owner, an accountant -- all so different yet as familiar to each other as siblings.
Each remembered stories from school days, laughed at ourselves, shared life stories of successes and failures. It surprised me that the spouses of classmates fit in so well; I kept thinking they were in our class too. What a delight!
A special treat was seeing our Principal, Vandy. Although he looked frail, his mind was as sharp as ever, he remembered many things we had all hoped he might forget. Hearing him say “Peeeeeeeeeeople …” had the same effect as if 40 years had not slipped by.
We celebrated being the Luckiest Generation, born of the Greatest Generation and gave thanks to those who made it happen. Our parents and teachers taught us lessons that sustained us and made our lives a rich tapestry .
The reunion was magical for me and I hope for others. It was a moment in time made of shear joy and remembrance -- worth much more than gold.
Thanks to everyone who made it possible.
One post script: Another class was represented and sadly was not adequately acknowledged at the time. Union High School Class of 1940 was 100% in attendance – OJ and my mother, classmates and friends since they were kids, shared the day with us.
They might be considered to be in the Platinum category
3 comments:
PT
What a nice article, I felt like I was there. Thank You.
Hope to see you next year.
You've touched my heart PT.
What a great description!
Thank you.
PT-You put it beautifully and perfectly! I'm so fortunate to have been a part of this Reunion and so grateful to have been in the class of '65 with such wonderful people at such a wonderful time. I hold you all close to my heart until we meet again! Happy Trails to All of You!
Post a Comment