Time is galloping by!
May 2024 is now practically history . . . and April is long gone. Looking back, the 27th of last month was a red-letter day for me.
On that date I re-connected with some friends I had seen every day in high school decades ago in Elizabethtown, PA. It was a surreal experience, seeing folks, some now seemingly wearing gray/white wigs. Others had sprouted beards or mustaches. All, including me, had wrinkles non-existent during our teenage years. But there were plenty of wide smiles and big hugs!
The banquet hall was filled with happy sounds, friends catching up with each other’s lives. We enjoyed a buffet meal together after we paid homage to deceased class members. A display table showcased the brilliant art work of award-winning water colorist Ann Vasilik, whom we knew back in school days as Ruth Ann Risser.
Another classmate, Bill Good, used his calligraphic skills to re-write the thumbnail sketches describing each of us as graduates in the 1959 EAHS yearbook. I got to display both of my memoirs.
Another highlight for me was meeting up with Betty Hill Johnson, a fellow student in the academic track who now lives in Connecticut.
She bought both of my books and later sent me a very neat note.
Authors treasure notes like this because they are rare. Besides, they represent one reader’s strong connection to a writer’s personal story.
- necrology = celebration of life for deceased class members (Ashokan farewall accompaniment)
I discovered while creating the bereavement video nearly fifty of our 113 classmates had died.
I traveled solo on Delta to Pennsylvania for the first time on this trip. With tight connections in Atlanta, I was relieved when the plane flew over the Susquehanna River to touch down finally at the Harrisburg International Airport.
Traveling alone comes with challenges. On both legs of my journey I did not hesitate to ask for help hefting my suitcases from the carousel. Fortunately, helpful people are everywhere. Also, older Pennsylvania homes often have long, steep staircases. My Florida legs, used to one-story home designs, had to get used to stairs with twenty or more treads.
My classmates and I are all elderly. Future face-to-face gatherings of this scope may be few and far between. I have to say, though, I’m glad I made the effort to attend and renew long-time connections. As Oliver Wendell Holmes has said, “To be 70 years young is sometimes far more cheerful and hopeful than to be 40 years old.“
Has this trip sparked memories of school days or other milestones in your life?
Do you usually travel alone or with others on trips?
What a wonderful trip for you. It is always good to see and hear about your classmates accomplishments. As people get older they tend to get more involved in creative activities. I’m not surprised that you sold some books. And what a wonderful note. I have been travelling alone a lot lately and enjoy it. I agree, there is always some kind person willing to assist you.
Good morning, Darlene! I’m glad you can relate to much of this because you like making connections too. Thanks for starting the conversation here. 😀
Thank you for sharing this memory, Marian! Am so very sorry I was unable to attend.
Yes, indeed, you were missed, but we have Facebook and Messenger, Jack! 😀
How lovely Marian. My husband recently returned from 60th Gaudy – or matric reunion. 30% of his class are no longer. So special to see those who are still around!
Thanks for chiming in with a timely comment, Susan.
Funny how I saw you this morning on LinkedIn, a service I seldom use. 😀
Brave lady flying alone! I used to do that without even thinking about it. I’m so glad you got to go. 🙂 We’re celebrating our 48th anniversary today (youngsters that we are) and have some nice big plans for later this fall to enjoy.
First of all, congratulations to you and Stuart on your 48th anniversary. That’s awesome. Yes, I clearly remember your memoir chapter about traveling with three small children and diaper-changing in an airport. That’s another “Wow”!
Continue to be impressed with your get up and go and be fruitful ministry. You are a shining star in a world where lights are growing dim for many as life takes it toll physically, mentally and socially. I applaud you my friend.
Thank you for your kind words. You and I are taking to heart the caution of Queen Mary, who is reputed to have said, “When you stop, you’re done.” I appreciate you too, Carolyn! 😀
Seeing high school friends is truly a surreal experience!! Where has the time gone?? What a lovely story, Marian. I also have met up with many of my own old classmates and these folks are real treasures in our lives.
Beverly, I know you are always on the go, connecting with high school friends, blog friends and others. You are finding treasures, making memories–and selling books too. Kudos, my friend! 😀
Good morning, Marian! I’m not first responder today, as I was out walking before your post came out.
It sounds like you had such a great time at your reunion!
I’ve never been to any of my high school reunions.
I’m sure your walk gave you some good exercise and colorful snapshots, Merril.
I’ve attended three reunions, but I doubt there”ll be any more face-to-face events of this size. A handful of local classmates do gather for breakfast once a month. 😀
I saw an eagle today chased by crows, so that was fun. 🙂
That’s wonderful that you have local former classmates, Marian!
Most of these classmates live in PA, so I have to fly north if I want to see them.
I’ll look for your eagle-crow photo. (Yep. . . saw several on Facebook!)
😊
That’s lovely, Marian! So glad you had a great reunion and also celebrated the deceased classmates to include them in the reunion.
Most of the time, I travel alone. (Well, with God, really, so I’m not exactly alone, 😄}
We had a celebration of life tribute last year at my college class reunion as well. It seems to be the right thing to do, especially at this stage of our lives.
Thanks for commenting and for the reminder that we are never alone in our earthly life, L. Marie! 😀
Our class never had reunions and I wish we would have had them!
I flew to Ontario in mid May and was so happy my youngest daughter agreed to come with me so I wouldn’t have to fly alone. We had a wonderful time and it was also a good bonding experience.
I love how your family rallies around you these days, and I’m sure your daughter benefited from the experience as well. I’m thinking now of Proverbs 31:28 which seems to characterize your family. 😀
That must have been such an special occasion, Marian, and I’m so glad you made the effort to fly there! I bet you enjoyed every minute of it.
Thanks for the kind words here, Fatima. I enjoyed most of my trip, but had a bit of a snafu at the car rental kiosk. Everything worked out okay though. 😀
70 years young! Yes, there’s a truth to that. Your reunion sounds and looks like it was fun and yummy. I haven’t been to a reunion in decades, not even sure who’d be left to see at one. If I went I’d drag Z-D along!
Husband Cliff offered to come along on the trip, but I didn’t take him up on it because I knew he wouldn’t know any of my classmates, Ally. Besides, none of the homesteads we so enjoyed visiting for many years are available to us. 😀
Well told, as always, Marian. I just got together with long-time friends since high school over Memorial Day. These gatherings take on a special significance the older we get.
I’m not surprised by the generosity and helpfulness of people when you traveled. Most humans have a basic decency to help those in need.
I can tell you are intentional about meeting with friends, old and new. And you know first-hand the benefits of cultivating friendships. Thanks, Pete! 😀
There really is something about people who we grow up with, Marian. There’s a familiarity and comfort level with them that is near impossible to find somewhere else. They may not “know” you now, but they still know where you started – the same place as them. 🙂 I think reunions are special. I love that you sold some books (talk about a perfect audience for Mennonite Daughter) they know all the places and many of the people in the book. And it’s a lost art to send someone a lovely hand-written note like your class mate. It sounds like a wonderful experience overall.
Yes, we did start in the same place. I had conversations with people I’ve known since first grade. I even spoke to *Wayne, a school-mate featured in “A Lesson in the Woods” in my first memoir Mennonite Daughter. (* name changed)
I do cherish Betty’s note. I have also received three hand-written letters from another class-mate who wasn’t able to attend the reunion. Yes, writing and receiving letters is almost a lost art. Thanks, Melanie! 😀
This June marks the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation. (How is that even possible??) No reunion or alumni banquet this year–unless someone volunteers to take Steve Hayes’s place to plan and organize the whole shebang. Not I–I’m not that nostalgic. My husband and I went to the banquet for my 30th, and only a handful of people from a graduating class of 70 showed up. It was really quite strange.
Some high school classes are loosely put together, so to speak. Usually a handful of class members take the initiative to make things happen. This year three hard-working women spent hours collectively (and separately) to make our reunion a success. I attended our reunion in 1985 and then again in 1999, but this year, 2024, may be my swan song. Thanks for adding your thoughts, Liz! 😀
I’m glad you made it to the reunion, Marian! It looks like you had a nice and precious time. I guess your bags were heavy because they were packed with your books? 🙂
I’ve never been to a class reunion. It doesn’t seem like any of my old schools throw these things together. But, if they would, there’s only a small chance I’d be able to attend anyway. Only if I’d end up being in Belgium already. I’d love to go, though.
If you were my wing-woman, I’m sure you could have hefted those book-laden bags easily–ha ha!
You’ll be in the northern hemisphere later this year. Who’s to say you wouldn’t visit Belgium some day, maybe see some classmates. Nice to see you here again, Liesbet! 😀
I love to hear your stories of connections.
It’s nice to see you here, Linda. Thanks for the kind words! 😀
Hi Marian, this sounds like such a wonderful meet up with your old school friends. Bravo on doing the journey on your own. I flew from SA to Amsterdam and then to Oslo on my own and caught the train. I was also pleased I managed it all well. I am a nervous traveler.
Brava to you too. I have been following your northern European trip and didn’t realize you were managing it all so well on your own. Like you, I’d rather travel with a partner. Cheers to you, Robbie! 😀
Marian, I am sure the effort you and others put into your reunion was rewarded with deep appreciation. I watched your video partly because I love the Ashoken Farewell music, so plaintive yet strong. Also, seeing those young, hopeful faces from the yearbook, knowing that all of them are now gone, is a piercing reminder of mortality.
Now that I actually walk past my own high school nearly every day, I can attend reunions easily. We have had one for the class of ’66 since Stuart and I moved back here, and I am reconnected with several classmates. Wish we could have seen you while you were here, but I know how crowded short trips are.
I’m glad you played the video. We were on our way to the funeral of a dear friend last May, and Ashoken Farewell came on Sirius XM. Immediately I knew “this is it” for background music when I created the tribute for our college class last October. It was natural to use it again for my high school class in April.
Living in Lititz now gives you ready access to family and friends, including those from Warwick High School. If Stuart attended high school in Virginia, you have good reason to return to another familiar place. Thanks for reading and commenting again, Shirley. 😀
What a wonderful event, Marian. To see friends, share stories, catch up, laugh and cry together – this is the very best of life. My 93-year old mother receives an alumni news letter and an annual invitation to the alumni reunion. Most of her friends have moved on in their journey, but mom still talks of those precious friends. In the end, it is about the love that we have received and have given in return. Thank you for this profound reflection.
How lovely that your mother still cares about her friends from early days. And it sounds as though she still reads her alumni news letter as well. I couldn’t agree more: “In the end, it is about the love that we have received and have given in return.”
Thanks for your affirming comment, Rebecca, so appreciated! 😀
I do love our conversations – always life-affirming!
What a wonderful trip back to the past Marian. It’s always interesting to see people from the past and where their life journey took them. And lovely of Betty to send you a note after reading your book. And, could I ever relate to your ‘traveling alone’ story! I don’t like having to rely on others to do anything for me. But my suitcases, lol. Last year when returning from Mexico, I just could not get my bag off the belt. One would think a gentleman would offer, but no dice. After around the 3rd spin around the carousel, a lovely woman got it off for me! 🙂 <3
Back to the past is a perfect way to characterize my trip in April. I’m glad I went in spite of challenges.
Often travelers become myopic on trips. It’s as if they have blinders on, thinking of my suitcases, my next step. my destination. Do we really care whether it’s a man or woman helping us with luggage. I’m glad a lovely woman grabbed it for you. Hip-hip-hooray! 😀
Marian, you asked, “Has this trip sparked memories of school days or other milestones in your life?” Yes, my 1970 Englewood HS yearbook is by my side in my office. I check the newspaper and other sources every day to see who has had a special day. Susan and I choose not to attend HS reunions anymore. Too expensive for our taste and too far to travel for Susan Many of my high school chumps have moved away and don’t travel either. Still, I pull out the yearbook and look at all of the people who signed my yearbook with their first name only. Now, I don’t remember or know who they are. :):):)
Anyway, thanks for sharing this eventful trip. God bless.
You say, “I check the newspaper and other sources every day to see who has had a special day.” I admire that. You don’t need to go to the effort and expense of class reunions because you show your caring friendship in a special way.
It’s so good to hear from you. Thank you, Jerry! 😀