| 10/18/09 07:52 AM |
#2940
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Bill Buckholtz
I am totally overwhelmed. I am head over heels.
I am charged, I am consumed, I am spent, all at the same time.
We are the class of ‘69;
Over achievers, under achievers,
Simultaneously, we are givers and receivers.
So what makes us feel so intimately connected?
We came together from different neighborhoods and different backgrounds,
We carried powerful memories along with us: photographs and stories.
We’ve journeyed to places near & far, from coast to coast, north & south & to the heartland.
We are the same and yet we have changed;
We have lost and we have gained,
We are students still, grading ourselves and each other, “i’s” dotted “t’s” crossed,
We have success and we have losses,
We have become friends with… benefits… and with costs,
And still we will lose more before this comfortable old hat gets tossed.
Friends and lovers and family and others; But we can take it.
We will continue to build and rebuild, reinvent ourselves and grow;
Because we came from the class of ’69…
We were “all that”… and we still are.
We were a voice of a generation, a movement, a rebellion, and we still are.
We were filled with boundless energy, we spouted and spurted… we exploded love, music, art, philosophy, education, invention, business, science, medicine and law… and we still do.
We held together families, raised children, took care of ourselves, and cared for others… and we still will.
We were then, what we are now… determined and forever young… and yet we have changed.
Those who were quiet and unknown are now stronger and confident;
Captains of the field and hallway royalty are now reserved and a little less demanding, a little less “about” their image, a little less sarcastic—not much, just a little—much less the judgmental juveniles, we are still so curious yet less intimidated by others;
We are less concerned with ourselves and so much more interested in each another.
Some of us, just a few, not many… have actually grown up!
What we are now, we were then… confused, aware, certain and eager, maybe less eager today, just a little tired and a bit more cautious… but still searching, seeking, appreciative but never satisfied…
We are the class of ’69… we are insatiable!
Once… we set out to change the world or simply become part of it.
We set out to learn, to teach, to fight and heal… some of us have remained much the same as we were, others moved great distances if not physically, than perhaps, emotionally, psychologically, academically, economically, spiritually…. and yet…
We all did these things and today, tonight we ended up back here…. at least for the moment.
Some of us traveled great distances while others just hopped a fence…
A few of us never left the streets we once ruled.
We knew each other long ago and for merely moments in time.
We have since lived, loved, lost, and loved again… and we have persevered… we have survived… and we are connected today as much or more than ever before.
I sat in late hours reliving last night and in the wee hours of this morning I write this:
I am overwhelmed, and I am yearning, and I am satiated.
We were head over heels back then… and now we are coupled forever...
We are the class of ’69.
I will post a Word Document somewhere.
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