We all have them – high school reunions, if our hearts are still ticking.
My 40th reunion was held this month in my little hometown of Albion, NY; a tiny hamlet close to SUNY of Brockport (where I attended college), and in between Buffalo and Rochester.
How I loved high school. It was a moment in time when we were all so innocent; and yet…thought we knew it all. I was the girl who was not much into a social calendar. Oh I did attend Football games; particularly the one's held between our arch rivals the Medina Mustangs and our team the Albion Eagles... The purple and white. Homecoming parades and bonfires. I would be there, until the end.
I belonged to the student council, Spanish club, drama club, marching band and symphony where I lovingly played the French Horn for four years, loving the practice and the performances while living in semi fear of a fantastic music instructor; Moses Sherman.
I loved working in the library with my mentor Mrs Rodden and listening to her words of wisdom and stories of life.
Dances? Are you kidding me? I lived for them. Boys? I found that one special one at a school dance... Douglas James Pike (3 years my senior) and married him when I was 18... God would take him from me just 24 years and 3 weeks later.
However it was the world of academics that really held me. My need to get those A’s in order to be accepted into college AND prevent the dreaded look of disapproval from my parents.
Yep, I loved my high school years.
So, one could conclude (logically) that if someone “LOVED” their high school experience, they would naturally want to go to their reunion. This was NOT quite truefor me. My mind and heart continued to battle it out, right up until that very weekend…
The word, “REUNION,” is almost a misnomer. Considering we were never REALLY united when we were in high school. What? Sorry, it’s true. Most of us had our group of friends whether it be The Breakfast Club of: Jocks, ASB, Social Butterflies, Surfers, Nerds, or the Stoners. Never really speaking to each other, much.
And then comes the time to REUNITE. That seemingly awkward “Hello” or “Hug” after 40 years, frantically searching for each other’s name tag. Or even worse…they know yours and you don’t remember theirs.
And how about the people who attend just to energetically say, “Look at me…I made it! Someone loved me enough to pronounce ’till death do us part,’ and I have two kids who have just received Honor Roll, while being the STAR athletes on the basketball courts of our old Junior HS. My home is paid off, and I am just about to retire…How are you?” All the while, still proving to themselves that they are enough by their accomplishments, titles and money. Forgetting that they are enough…just by being born.
Then there are those who don’t make an appearance, such as myself…because they buy into the illusions and think they are too poor, fat, old, sick and worthless. Or, they tell themselves that they just don’t care.
Are you HERE Bonnie, It’s Me, The Universe? Time is running out lady. Grab that golden ring!
When it finally came down to it, I still really wanted to go. It was where I needed to be. Simply because it was a reminder of a more innocent time. Their innocence and mine. It would help me to remember that…we are all ONE. And this time, maybe I could do it differently. Maybe this would have been my last chance to UNITE… for the FIRST time.
So there you have it. The one thing I absolutely VALUED about seeing my fellow classmates again, is that they remind me of my youth. A time when I can remember what it was like before my “so-called” struggles and when my body was intact and when Doug walked and held my hand. A beautiful bridge that we ALL have in common, if we are just willing to take the time…to cross it.
As I am shedding layers upon layers of my protective and egocentric walls of fear, I am slowly being re-born to the innocence of Love. I will hold on to that even though it was finally Cancer and work that prevented me from going home to see old friends and catch up on lives of those who still touch mine in gentle ripples.
My oldest friend and good luck charm Kim Wright Pritt was on the planning committee for this 40th reunion and through her I was able to attend; albeit vicariously. She kept me apprised through letters and emails of all that was going on and today even sent me the information package that all who attended received. To my surprise, even though I could not be there, and have not been back home since 2002, I was included in the package... and she honored me by calling me what I always dreamt of being; an author - a writer.
I also got to find out what so many old friends have been doing and silently slipped in beside each of them for just a few minutes.
I know I will never see my home again, but with dear friends of 50 plus years, I will always be able to be there in my heart and mind and I know I will never be alone.
Happy 40th Reunion to the 1974 Graduating Class of Albion Central High.
(From the Information Package)
Did You Know...
A lot of interesting things have happened to all of us over the last 40 years. Here are just a few bits of information to help start some conversations so you can learn more about your classmates lives!
Two couples are currently married to fellow class of 1974 classmates:
o Rodney Woolston and Donna Celmer Woolston
o Tom Maxon and Suzanne Greene Maxon
Becky Allen Prophet is a professional clown and teaches others to be clowns
Bonnie Breuilly Pike is a published author - she wrote three books of poetry and is working on a novel
Maggie Strickland Parsons has been in radio for over 30 years and is currently a DJ on Rochester radio station Legends 102.7
Maggie Strickland Parsons lived on Guam for about 10 years - she was a missionary with Trans World Radio and served as the morning announcer on their local radio station. She also worked at another local station as a news anchor/reporter. She has enjoyed extensive traveling - she's been to Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hawaii.
Pat Neal was not able to attend because she is using her vacation this year to go to the Antarctic, which completes her bucket list goal to see all seven continents!
Several 1974 classmates have retired from the prison system within the last couple of years: John Borello and Renee Schoonover Colonna from Orleans Correctional and Marilyn Wright Kilborn, Deb Engle Martillotta, Rodney Woolston, and Donna Celmer Woolston from Albion Correctional - sorry if we missed someone!
Chris Rodden Capurso was the first person to get married in our class that is currently still together. She married Al Capurso on August 24, 1973 and they are still married 41 years later!
Kathy Murray True was the second person to marry that is currently still together - she married John True on Dec 28, 1973. Kathy and John are also still married after 41 years together.
Bob Fleming worked at DC Comics for a while!
Anne "Michelle" Johnson Dicureia lived in Reno, NV from 1980-1985 and would dearly love to return!
John Borello is still actively playing music in a local band called The Who Dats
Kevin Georgitso was the mock "Police Chief" when our senior class took over the Village government and, coincidentally, he had a 30 year career in law enforcement as an officer and detective in the Arizona Dept of Public Safety (the Arizona equivalent of State Police), retiring in January 2009
Carol Hollenbeck Duke has lived in some pretty interesting places: Birmingham, AL, Richmond, VA, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bangkok, Jakarta, Reidsville, NC. She has traveled "across the pond" three times to serve as missionaries and to pastor churches. All told, she has lived in 24 homes in 31 years of marriage!
Laurie Tully has lived in Louisiana for most of the last 37 years and has been married for 19 years!
John Strausburger couldn't be here because he will be in Vancover, British Columbia. He lives in Fort Worth, TX, has a daughter in Denver, two sons in Nashville, TN, three grandsons, and a granddaughter on-the-way!
Kim Wright Pritt lived in North Carolina for 26 years and recently retired and moved back home to Albion......who says "no one ever retires and moves NORTH"?
