April 13, 2008 |
| Going Full Throttle -- By Kay Wright Spencer |
It's mid-April now-- six months have lapsed since the reunion and I'd swear the reunion seems as far away today as our graduation! I don't know about you, but I returned from MO, jumped back into life here in CT full throttle and never followed up with any of you as I said that I would. I suppose the "locals" were glad to see us leave town.....
Was it worth it? Was it worth the organizing effort and then the trip from CT to KCMO? (You know my youngest contacted pneumonia that Sat. and then I was laid over Sun night trying to get home....)
For me, the answer is definitely "yes," even if the reunion itself seemed a little anti-climatic. I think that as the data organizer for this event I had THE BEST JOB as far as the opportunity it provided to catch up with people individually during the planning phases. Before even arriving in MO, I'd discovered new friends like Michael Beckner and Mike James, and found out a lot of the information about who lived where and did what. There were definitely a few surprises though--- I swear I never would have (and didn't!) recognize Steve Duncan!!! It was also fun on Friday at the football game to meet some of your children-- WOW! I was surprised afterward to realize that I hadn't connected at the reunion more with some of the people that I thought I would have, but thrilled to be included with others that I know full well never liked me in high school. Weird? No, I think it's that motherhood disease that makes me look at everyone, and especially myself-- differently. Can't turn back the clock, but I can be a better person! I think I have a lot more respect for people in general and appreciation for the different talents and personalities of others today than I did back then. Back then, none of us gave the other very much credit, did we? Gee, if we've all matured this much in just 25 years....we'll bring about World Peace at our 50th!
On Sunday after the reunion and a weekend touring Hville, my husband Harry said, "yeah, we could live back here. This would be a great place to raise the kids." And I thought "how weird!" It seemed all my life that everyone kept telling me to "get out of Hooterville," but when it comes back to what is really important in life---family--- there's no place like "home"-- Harrisonville. It really is an ideal small town community. For my husband to make that comment is really a compliment and testament to all of YOU (and the new community fitness center, and the great football stadium and new schools, and Sutherland's hardware there at the other end of town!) I also feel pretty good about the fact that I think most of you who met my husband think he's "OK" too. I think living so far away in the crazy northeast makes me yearn to be around "normal" people where I think I'd fit in better. It's not being overly sentimental or being silly about "days gone by." Just speaking with, and listening to, so many of you about kids, schools, churches, politics--- and confirming that I'm not crazy afterall-- was just a real "high" for me. (I guess you might not appreciate it if you're lucky enough to still live in the general area but I think I live in Babylon! Speaking of which, I find it fascinating that while they call me the "church lady" around here, that most of the people in our class that I spoke with seem to be very faith-based and leading church-centered lives although they all can't seem to agree on the finer details. "Love one another.")
Of course, Edwin had it right-- "It's great to see you all, but I'm not looking for any new email pals!" Yep, no matter where we live, we're all going full tilt and doing what we can to keep our heads above water, and no one can afford to to stop time and sidebar back to 1982! For heaven's sake-- we have jobs! families! real responsibilities! But that said, if you asked me who some of my friends were "back in high school," the list would be different today-- I think it would be a lot longer. I suppose you all heard that Cathy Jo Flanary Ginnings has gone on record to say that I WAS NOT the one to smash Sheila's face in the birthday cake all those years ago and so I have been absolved after probably 30 years!! Forgiveness is a good thing! Being allowed to join "the girls" for breakfast Saturday was one of the weekend hightlights and no one-- absolutely no one-- called me "Moose" (even Kevin Ray!) I've also reconnected with Carmen Schupbach-- yep, that one special childhood friend that has all of the "poop" from grade school and jr. high that my kids have heard so much about. They were disappointed however, to hear that the girl who plucked all my eyebrows off in 6th grade (Cassie Baker) didn't make it to the reunion so I could show her that they never grew back in! And I was disappointed that Karen Randal didn't come to the reunion becuase she and I spent every track season together and it's just plain "wrong" to not have spoken since. So "Yes" it was worth it, and "no" I don't want 150 new best friends-- but YES-- I'm already looking forward to our 30 year reunion (we voted on it...remember?) when it's time to catch up with everyone again. And "yes," I hope to keep in touch with more of you between now and then, even if it is just the ol' Spencer Salutations holiday letter or a BLOG out here. Who's turn is it to blog now?
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November 16, 2007 |
| Guest Blog, by Cheryl Tinsley |
Can you believe it's been 6 weeks since our 25th reunion? Saturday, the Wildcats play in a semi-final game before possibly going to State again this year! Go CATS!!!!
I just looked back at the reunion web site. My, weren't we philosophical....amid a few hot flashes, we were phenomenal! Make a commitment to check the site regularly, and tell your friends to do the same. I believe a few people were facing upcoming surgeries, etc. a few weeks ago. So, how are you doing?
Here's to a wonderful holiday season with family and friends, and fond memories of good old friends from Harrisonville. Make a point to posting a note if you live away and will be coming back to Harrisonville to visit relatives. Friends make good visiting company, too!
Cheryl
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October 2, 2007 |
| Still on my mind... |
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It's now three days after our 25th reunion, and the memories of Saturday night are still fresh in my mind. It was good to see everybody, rekindle old friendships (sorry I didn't recognize you Raybee...the Harry Potter glasses really threw me off), and take advantage of opportunities to build new friendships.
While we were preparing for the reunion, Kay Wright Spencer and I had the opportunity to get to know each other. We grew up together, and even lived very close to each other, yet we didn't know each other. While I don't think I could tell you much about her that most of you don't already know (and vice versa), what I can tell you is that I was amazed at the number of things we have in common. Interests, passions, fears...things which we didn't notice 25 years ago because like the majority of our classmates, we were too pigeon-holed into our little groups. We defined ourselves--and sought our friends--by what we did. That was our comfort zone. I am sure the same phenomenon exists today, but what a pity that teenage minds can't get a broader view of their surroundings. In a way it makes me sad to think of the missed opportunities for friendship "back in the day." On the other hand, though, the joy of new friends is more exciting at our age--an age when hopefully we can welcome new friends into our lives based on WHO we are, and not just WHAT we do.
How about you? How many of our classmates did you not have the chance to get to know during high school? Have you discovered that you have more in common than you thought with some of them?
Yours,
Mike Beckner
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2008
Going Full Th...
2007
I didn't get to attend the 25 year reunion but I agree with everything you said in your blog. As I've had to attend funerals for family that I haven't seen in a few years, I have realized how important family and friends are and have started making the time for friends and family. I hope to make the 30 year reunion and hope to see lots of faces I haven't seen in a number of years. Keep in touch with those you can for you never know when it will be the last time you talk to them.
Alice
I didn't get to attend the 25 year reunion but I agree with everything you said in your blog. As I've had to attend funerals for family that I haven't seen in a few years, I have realized how important family and friends are and have started making the time for friends and family. I hope to make the 30 year reunion and hope to see lots of faces I haven't seen in a number of years. Keep in touch with those you can for you never know when it will be the last time you talk to them.
Alice
I didn't get to attend the 25 year reunion but I agree with everything you said in your blog. As I've had to attend funerals for family that I haven't seen in a few years, I have realized how important family and friends are and have started making the time for friends and family. I hope to make the 30 year reunion and hope to see lots of faces I haven't seen in a number of years. Keep in touch with those you can for you never know when it will be the last time you talk to them.
Alice