35th

I had a classmate tell me yesterday that she and her husband were/are celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary today (Congrats!) and the best part is that they still like each other.  The past 3 days I have spent a lot of time with the Keokuk Class of 81 and guess what, after 35 years we still like each other, too!

From the parade on Thursday, to the football game and gatherings on Friday, to the meal and music on Saturday night, it was a fantastic Reunion.  It took some doing to find us a place to hold our reunion, since apparently even Keokuk has a lively social scene on Homecoming weekend, but now I can't imagine having had the event any other way than how it all unfolded.

I mean, really..... it rained, poured and flooded, during the early morning hours of  Thursday.  I kept watching the clouds out of my office window all day, hoping and praying that the rain wouldn't ruin the parade.  But Mother Nature and the sun teamed up in time, just for us I am sure!, with clear blue skies and ample sunshine for that parade.  The streets were dry for walkers and we handled the hills and long walk like pros!  (Pros at what I'm not quite sure, but at something good I know!)  Day one was a rousing success!

Friday showed up with textbook football weather.  Brrrrr.  I'm sure our friends and classmates from the South were in a bit of shock.  There was no weather watching out my windows on Friday.  There was clock watching on Friday instead.  There were places to go, things to do, people to see!  Friday afternoon freedom from work is always fun anyway, but when there is an impromptu class gathering at The Cellar to get to, the fun factor ramps right up there!  Good times.  :)

The game.  Sigh.  What can I say about that game, except that, as a blessing, I was too busy talking to pay attention when most of those points were scored by that other team!  Thank you classmates for that!  I got to sit in the stands, where I have watched football games for 40 years, surrounded by people who I've known for just as long, and watch my son the senior, sing the National Anthem, play in, and help to direct the marching band.  Very good times.   :)

And, I am completely convinced that the good folks at Dr. Getwells set up their buy-one get-one free deal just for us after the game!  Another impromptu gathering that included lots of laughter and fun and talking.  The Reunion Good Time Gods were most certainly smiling on us!

Saturday... Well, Iowa won!  I got some most excellent pictures of that senior on his way to the Homecoming Dance, and then it was Reunion Time! The laughs started right off the bat.... Jim and Georgette's discussion during the picture taking was hilarious!.... and continued on from there.  Did you see all of us who were there??  Isn't that awesome?!  Some of us never change and some of us I didn't recognize one bit.  And while change is good, we are so very blessed that even tho we physically change, we are still the same amazing, wonderful, good, caring "sexy and fun" class of 81. Granted I obviously didn't hear every conversation that went on over the past 3 days, but I didn't hear negativity.  I didn't hear bad or hurtful or mean.  I heard laughter and saw hugs.  I saw people who, after 35 years, still like each other enough to gather together and enjoy each other's company.  While we most definitely ARE Sexy and Fun!, we are also an amazing group of people who have a special bond, some intangible link that slides through us like the waters of the Mississippi slides through it's banks, gathering us "home" every 5 years or so to be complete.  We are blessed.

The 35th Reunion is in the books.  And in pictures and memories and in my aching knees  (Keeping up with Todd, Renita, and Carol on the dance floor was a daunting task!)  My class ring will go back into my jewelry box for another 5 years or so.  Thank you all who traveled to be here this weekend.  For those of us who live "at home" that means a lot... that you took time out of your lives to be here.  For those of you who worked so hard to make this all happen, thank you.  We had a great time thanks to your hard work.  For everyone who attended any part of the festivities, thank you.  Things were exactly as they were because you were there.  And things were amazing.