The air was hot heavy, and humid May 29, 2010 as we gathered to finish the set up for the fiftieth reunion. We sought the shade of a large oak tree behind the VFW Post in Jasper, Florida as we awaited the arrival of the key. We were finally on minute count down after fourteen months of preparation. Today it would all finally come together with the arrival of our other classmates at four p.m. Glenda pulled in a few minutes after three and we hurried inside to start the music, slip the music Cd's into the program folders, begin the slide show, dress the tables, and put out the appetizers. We fine tuned the seating arrangements after the screen was in place, checked the room, tweaked the displays and called it good.
Anticipation developed as four o'clock approached; long tables were draped in orange; ivy strands circled eight candles representing those eight classmates who are no longer with us. Orange and black balloons bounced from the sign near the road. Fifties music filled the room. The front door held welcome signs with photos. Appetizers waited on a table near the kitchen along with soft drinks, cups, and plates. The displays were in place, the music playing, and the slides of years gone by projected on the screen. We were ready.
Classmates started rolling in right on time (Nancy and D.W. first), receiving name tags crafted with small photos from school and print large enough to be read without squinting. We also gave them their event packet and took their pictures. People reconnected quickly, laughter filled the room, and the stories started flowing. "Do you remember..."; "Whatever happened to..."; "Is ____ coming?" all bounced around. By five-thirty all but two of the ones who had signed up were there, plus two walk-ins. Just as we were about to take the group photo, Bobby and Lucy walked in. We gathered for the group shot among a little prank playing. All the spouses seemed to have a camera in their hand as shots were taken of the assembled classmates.
After the picture, all thirty-one of us gathered round the table with heads bowed as Archie asked a blessing on our food. He spoke a lovely grace. The head table led the group to the food and we served our plates from a selection of roast beef, roast pork, green beans, squash casserole, rolls, and romaine salad with strawberry vinaigrette's. About this time the afternoon storm started and by dessert time (strawberries slathered with whipped cream on pound cake or Texas Sheet Cake} the rain falling on the metal roof drowned most of the other sounds.
The storm did not dampen our spirits as we continued to eat and visit around the table. After the lessening of the rain, we started the program with the welcome from Don who had us laughing as he shared some good remembrances. We then took time to remember Charles, Lester, Jerry, Mickey, Franklin, Linda J., Bonnie R., and Linda G. with a classmate leading off the memories for each. Then, it was remember when time with tales of some of our more memorable teachers and fellow students. We traveled back with Carl Ivey to remember one of the favorite bullies in school who made his life miserable and his early days of adjusting to our school. Confessions were made which may ultimately lead to revenge even at this late date. Joyce found out why she may have had to take the hookworm treatment. Sports stories were shared. Minor crimes and misdemeanors were confessed. The reunion committee reported, plans were made for 2015, and Linda led us in the Alma Mater.
It was clean up time, good by time, throw the trash bags in the truck time, pack up the car and go home time. Little groups lingered giving last hugs and sharing parting thoughts. No one seemed to be in a hurry to leave. We were taking with us a renewed sense of wonder at how much those people in that room that evening still meant to us. The ties of childhood are timeless.
Fourteen months was a long time to prepare, but Saturday evening was priceless. It was good to pause and come together, remembering where we started and with whom we shared the first part of our journey. Everyone brought a little something special to the reunion; all of us took away a sweet memory.
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