Subject: Reflections on our Reunion
From: skonklesr@aol.com
Date: Tue Jul 28 2009 - 16:58:12 CDT
Hello everyone,
After having a few days to reflect on what just took place at the Hilton Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I have a few thoughts that I'd like to share with all of you.? As I look back on the evening, and some of the events preceding and even following the evening, I am as much struck by what I did not see and experience, as I am by what I did see and experience.
I hope that all of you did not see and hear the same things that I did not see and hear.? I did not see a Homecoming King or Queen, or a Jock, or a Wimp, or a Nerd.? I did not?see a single rich kid, or bully, or delinquent, and there was nobody there from the wrong side of the tracks.? I certainly never saw a Cheerleader, or anyone that wished they were a Cheerleader.? I?did not see?anyone with a label "First String", or "Second String", or "Bench Warmer".? And nobody had a reputation for being a jerk, or a snitch, or even "Hot".? And isn't it odd, that nowhere in the room was the fat kid, or the girl with the big boobs for us to leer at or snicker about.
What I did see was a whole bunch of warm and wonderful people that had all made a particular effort to travel back to Grand Rapids, so that just for a few hours, they could share a moment or two with people they had known and loved a long time ago, and just wanted to have a chance to let them know how they felt one more time.? What I did see was instant and spontaneous hugs, and smiles, and even kisses, and "oh boy am I glad to see you" looks.? What I did see was a room full of people who were "connected" by time and life's experiences to one another in a way that only they could appreciate.? The warmth, and the friendship, and the love for one another that transcends all of the things that I did not see.? Because that's the way we all have come to know it is supposed to be, because that in fact is the true legacy of the OHHS Class of 59.
As for me personally, all I can say to you all is, stay well, stay happy, thank the Good Lord for your blessings, and if you are faced with pain and sorrow, my God grant you Serenity to Accept the things you cannot change.??
I hope?we have the opportunity to get together again soon, so we can talk and spend time with all of those that we didn't have enough time to talk and spend time with at this last wonderful event.
My love (and my wife's love....she's an adopted part of our experience now) to you all,
Steve & Alex Konkle
Ottawa Hills High School Discussion List - 1959
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