A Few of Our Thoughts About the Reunion . . .

When Annette and I began working on the reunion earlier this year, I didn’t have a clue how therapeutic it would be for me. Planning began early in the year. I had recently moved into a new home in the hope that it would help me deal with grief while adjusting to my new life. And it did help, but not nearly as much as the process of working on the reunion. It was just what I needed when my heart needed it most, and you were all a part of that.

I spent hours and hours making fans for the photo booth and editing photos for the photo wall. While editing, I would look into your eyes and remember things that I had not thought of in years . . .50 years. After awhile I began talking to you - just chatting away about all kinds of stuff. I told you some of my secrets and talked about how different some things might be if we’d made different choices all those years ago. (Sometimes I wish I had). I forgave all the silly rivalry stuff and you forgave me too (I could tell by the twinkle in your eyes). I wish I had known many of you better during those years, but I was a flighty, flirty little girl (that was actually somewhat insecure) so sometimes I didn’t have the courage.

Our 50th reunion was a true blessing for me. The planning process was sometimes difficult, but it didn’t matter because Annette and I were having so much fun with it. It’s been years since I laughed as much as I did during those months. We both put our whole hearts into the process, all the while convinced that we were losing our minds, and hoping we would recover after it was all over.

And then the big night arrived, and you all started coming through the door. I felt like it was 1969 again, and sometimes found myself giggling for no reason. I think I laughed all night long. It felt so good to see all of you again. Annette and I both wish we hadn’t been so busy that night so we could've talked to more of you, but our brains were so mushy by the end of the night, we probably wouldn't have made much sense anyway.

Thank you for coming. Thank you for all the smiles and hugs. Thank you for sharing memories. Thank you for your sweet words, and for contributing to the fun mood of the evening. Annette and I may have put it together, but it wouldn’t have been a success without you. It made me wish that I’d be seeing you at school again on Monday morning.

Lynette

Like Lynette said, the process of planning and preparation for the reunion did take much time and effort, but what a wonderful journey it has been! When starting the planning for our special 50th reunion, I felt so inadequate. But thanks to the Lord for His help and guidance along the way; He helped us get things done and catastrophes were diverted! The planning process became a pleasure, really. It was great working with Lynette and Doug, and others who helped in various ways. Finding classmates really took some detective work, especially finding those who no longer have land lines or addresses from 10 years ago. Many of you helped by calling and spreading the news by word of mouth. Thank you so much! I have to say that I truly enjoyed talking on the phone with many of you. Usually I don’t like talking on the phone that much (even after I got my hearing aids), but it has been a delight talking with you, my 1969 friends; it was like 50 years had not passed!

Working with Lynette was so much fun! It was like we were back in high school. I have never called or texted anyone so much, and so late! We are both night owls and were working, talking, and laughing into the night! We have laughed so much! I think I have laughed more the past six months than any other time in my life! It was fun picking out graphics and choosing names for the awards. We laughed ourselves silly more than one night because we kept getting ‘The Grandest’ award for having the most grandchildren confused with ‘The Greatest’ award for having the most great-grandchildren. All the laughs have been so good for us both. They say laughter is the best medicine, so we should be pretty well for a long long time!

After working with everyone’s name so much, I got to know spouses’ names pretty well, so the night of the reunion when y’all walked in, I felt like I knew your spouse already! That was a welcomed and unexpected joy. Like Lynette, I too wish I had time to talk with everyone more that night. After working with your questionnaires, I did feel like I knew everyone more, however – that was nice and was like having a little preview chat. Finally seeing you all was just so very special! The smiles and hugs were icing on the cake! So, all in all, the planning and preparations were joys that I will always recall with a smile; and the reunion night itself was a truly magical event, a night I will always remember and cherish, because I cherish your forever friendship.

Annette