"Those were the days my Friend,
we thought they'd never end -
we'd sing and dance forever and a day,
we'd live the life we'd choose -
we'd fight and never lose,
Oh Yes! Those were the days!"
I received the AD notice of posting - 'The Class Reunion' (revised) - but when clicked, took me to your home page, had to open list of all Stories, and found this.
My story is a tad different - Turned 70 on 8/25/10 - Class of 1958 - 52 years ago! Ex-wife and I attended 25 year Re-union in 1983 - Was astonished at how many had aged so poorly - I was one of the FEW who looked pretty good still. I had won, but turned down the Maryland State Teachers Association Full Scholarship! DUMMY! But, at age 17, who wanted to be a Teacher? - and have an obligation to Teach in this State for 2 years after graduation? DUH!
Anyway, the fellow who was Second in line, and took it - Jimmy Lamar - was then the Current Principal of Dear Old Southern High! He still looked great! I wound up being the substitute MC all night, and HAD A BALL - ham that I am!
When I attended the 50 Year Re-union alone (Divorced after 34 years!) - was more Astonished - other than a 'Pot-Belly' I was in Great Shape! Some of those poor ole Codgers were using Walkers, in Wheel-chairs, carrying Oxygen, had had: various serious maladies - Open-Heart Surgery, Diabetes, Cancer - you name it!
I could still Dance! Still had Hair! Had finished College - was NOT Rich in Assets, but realized I was Rich - IN BLESSINGS!
As you stated, the Memorial Roster was quite lengthy now - and I thanked GOD for my Health! I had Fun - Met some New people, gabbed with old friends, and was GLAD I WENT!
Each day now, when my eyes open in the morning, I gratefully say: "Thank You God, for another Wonderful, Beautiful DAY!
Rain, Hail, Sleet, or Snow - do Not Matter! Yet another chance to experience LIFE! As the old Toyota commercial used to say:
I loved this! I cannot imagine going to a 50 year reunion! But then again, I don't think I'd want to see people with so much illness, etc. Just a reminder you ain't no spring chicken! Anyway, I took the story down, because the AD editor messed it up. I reposted it. It's a bit of a downer, but that's how I felt at the time, and as you can see, some strange things did happen. God Bless.
For a time, I perched myself on a flat rock, comparing my life with the Guyandotte River. Just as its tributaries replenish it daily, changing it in some small—sometimes great—degree, so have the day-to-day occurrences of life changed me. Like the ri
For a time, I perched myself on a flat rock, comparing my life with the Guyandotte River. Just as its tributaries replenish it daily, changing it in some small—sometimes great—degree, so have the day-to-day occurrences of life changed me. Like the ri
This book is an autobiographical account of the lessons I learned about life and how I was able to apply them to inspire, motivate and empower others in my own work as a firefighter, as well in my daily life as a husband, a father and a man. When I w
