Tuesday, November 15, 2005
LETTER TO THE EDITOR....MAY, 1999
Yesterday I wrote about our 50th High School Class Reunion. Driving home alone later that night I was struck by how different we were from those “good old days” and yet how very much we were alike. The next day I penned some of those thoughts to the editor of the Cabool Enterprise and he published it in the next edition. It goes like this:
To the editor of the Cabool Enterprise:
On May 29th the Class of 1949 celebrated it’s 50th reunion in Cabool. I have always been proud of the town I called “home” for several years and especially our school. I would like to share my thoughts of that day with you.
We came from the hills and valleys around Cabool to make up the Class of ‘49. We were known as the little guys out there looking for gold. Some of us began together in grade school while others of us moved in from other towns or states. Whatever our status, be it early or late, we became the Class of the ‘49’ers.
In the fifty years since graduation few of us have enjoyed the pranks, friendships, camaraderie or the love we knew then. Whether rooting for the Sports events, cheering Music and Voice endeavors or pulling for the Speech and Debate Teams, we were as one. We worked with and for the Community as no other class had and the town supported a 4-year work effort for a Senior Trip to Washington D.C. after graduation….a huge effort for that day and time.
After Pomp and Circumstance faded we were cast into seventy-two different directions. Some went right into the Military, some to college; most found jobs…. and careers were begun on every level. Through the years most of us remained in touch with each other and periodically met for small local reunions.
None were as sweet or poignant as the 50th. We were survivors of every affliction life can throw. Many of us had lost loving mates, faced heart surgery, battled cancer, divorce, job changes and life changes. Through it all it was obvious that each survivor had a strong faith, good morals, great attitudes and a wonderful sense of adventure and good humor.
Ten classmates have passed away, many of us battle failing health, the rigors of time have taken it’s toll but our spirits grow brighter than ever. Age is an institution of learning and time binds us ever closer to the ones we love. Singing our old school song together at the close of the evening was a sweet benediction and a victory of sorts. Why? Because after all these years we still remembered the words! And that’s a good thing.
It’s OK to be panning for gold if you are looking in the right places. God, country, family, friends…..and yes, old schools. We were digging for gold in ‘49 and in these years since, our wealth has multiplied beyond measure. The road from school led outward so we had the way…..experience, the great teacher, was waiting at the first bend in the road so we knew the 'how'. She proved to be a faithful guide along an otherwise, long and difficult journey………
Until Thursday,
Essentially Esther
To the editor of the Cabool Enterprise:
On May 29th the Class of 1949 celebrated it’s 50th reunion in Cabool. I have always been proud of the town I called “home” for several years and especially our school. I would like to share my thoughts of that day with you.
We came from the hills and valleys around Cabool to make up the Class of ‘49. We were known as the little guys out there looking for gold. Some of us began together in grade school while others of us moved in from other towns or states. Whatever our status, be it early or late, we became the Class of the ‘49’ers.
In the fifty years since graduation few of us have enjoyed the pranks, friendships, camaraderie or the love we knew then. Whether rooting for the Sports events, cheering Music and Voice endeavors or pulling for the Speech and Debate Teams, we were as one. We worked with and for the Community as no other class had and the town supported a 4-year work effort for a Senior Trip to Washington D.C. after graduation….a huge effort for that day and time.
After Pomp and Circumstance faded we were cast into seventy-two different directions. Some went right into the Military, some to college; most found jobs…. and careers were begun on every level. Through the years most of us remained in touch with each other and periodically met for small local reunions.
None were as sweet or poignant as the 50th. We were survivors of every affliction life can throw. Many of us had lost loving mates, faced heart surgery, battled cancer, divorce, job changes and life changes. Through it all it was obvious that each survivor had a strong faith, good morals, great attitudes and a wonderful sense of adventure and good humor.
Ten classmates have passed away, many of us battle failing health, the rigors of time have taken it’s toll but our spirits grow brighter than ever. Age is an institution of learning and time binds us ever closer to the ones we love. Singing our old school song together at the close of the evening was a sweet benediction and a victory of sorts. Why? Because after all these years we still remembered the words! And that’s a good thing.
It’s OK to be panning for gold if you are looking in the right places. God, country, family, friends…..and yes, old schools. We were digging for gold in ‘49 and in these years since, our wealth has multiplied beyond measure. The road from school led outward so we had the way…..experience, the great teacher, was waiting at the first bend in the road so we knew the 'how'. She proved to be a faithful guide along an otherwise, long and difficult journey………
Until Thursday,
Essentially Esther
