FRIENDSHIPS AND REUNION

Over Memorial Day weekend we attended our 60th high school class reunion.  Yes, you read that right --- 60 years out of high school!

Bob, my husband, and I were in the same class -- we went to different grade schools but graduated together from the one high school of our small, rural town, Rocky Ford, Colorado.  We have always been a close class -- several of us have known each other since birth, and have kept in contact all of these years.
I took a bunch of pictures, but no one wants to see their 77/78- year-old selves all over the internet.  So, I'll spare you, also, and just show you a couple of special pictures of my class mates.

First --  Bill and I were born on the same day in the same hospital in Rocky Ford.  With our mothers, we shared a room there for several days.  We went to school and graduated together.  And now, here we are 77 years later still friends.

This is a picture of three of my friends with me in the first grade. 

 Here we are at the reunion this last weekend.  We may be grandmothers with gray hair now, but we still chatter like those pig-tailed little girls.

Bob was able to reconnect with a grade-school friend that he hadn't seen for 63 years, but I regret that I didn't get a photo of them together.

It was a jam-packed, fun-filled weekend.  And what do old folks who have known each other for many, many years do when they get together? --------

Photo from Pinterest of Rocky Ford's Grand Theater

We started off on Saturday with what we did as kids --- we went to the theater for a Saturday afternoon matinee.  The local volunteers have done a wonderful job maintaining and restoring the art deco movie theater.  We saw a 1950s era movie and two short clips about vintage Rocky Ford -- all with great 1950s music.

Elk's Club - Rocky Ford, Colorado

The movies were followed by a meet and greet then dinner at the local Elk's Club.  When we were in high school, a lot of our major dances were held at the Elk's Club.  We all hung around until 10:30 talking, reminiscing, catching up.  That's pretty late for us old folks.

One of our class members is a local pastor, so we attended his church as a group on Sunday morning.  He was always a talented musician and didn't disappoint us at church.  So wonderful to hear him play the piano and sing great old gospel music with his wife and son.

Sunday afternoon was spent touring the "new" high school.  Our class was talented athletically and had several conference and state championships.  The track trophies and signed footballs from our era were on display.
We then went across the road to the Methodist Church memorial garden; and had a memorial service for our departed class mates.  I was in charge of reading the names before each bell chime; and stumbled emotionally a couple of times.

Then, it was time to banquet together again.  We met at the restored sugar factory offices, which is now an event center for a catered dinner, more visiting, class photos, and an auction of meaningful items.

Monday morning was spent with visits to our local cemetery.  Over the many years, families have planted peony bushes on graves; so it is really beautiful this time of the year with the flags of veterans flying.  Similar to a lot of classmates, my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents are buried there.

And, of course, we had to eat together again back at the Elk's Club.  Local class mates provided a great brunch.
After more visiting, we dispersed at 2:30.

It was a surreal, wonderful weekend with so many stories and laughs as though we had never been apart.  It is just amazing to me that these friendships have endured all of these years.  It wasn't necessary to say good bye, as we know we will get together again. 

I'm joining the following:

Backyard Neighbor for Blue Monday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday