REFLECTIONS

 

A REFLECTION  
As Francis Duncan had stated previously on our Class Website “It doesn't seem possible that almost 40 years has gone by since we graduated. Where have the years gone? I'm sure we have all been very busy since then with college, marriages, careers, children, and now grandchildren.”  I couldn’t agree with Francis more, where did the time go? 
But the pleasure of spending a few days (or even hours) with our classmates had somehow closed this time gap between 1970 and 2010 quickly. The informal reception at the shelter on Friday night, the two golf teams supporting one of our classmates passion – the Lide White Boys and Girls Club, the decorating of the gallery hall at Clifty Inn, the winery visit on Saturday, the brunch on Sunday morning, the BBQs at friends’ house, and the Saturday Evening Event, all contributed to a time which was both special and amazing to me, as I’m sure it was to others in attendance.
I found that initially, my classmates were pretty much as I had remembered them, although some were grayer, some with more wrinkles and other aging signs visible, and yes for the record, I clearly admit, I have aged also. But what I recall the most from this event, is that they appeared to have the same smiles, the same eyes, the same caring, in some cases the same touch, that our hearts only can see with and understand. Therefore, this was not just another room full of aging people trying to show that they had lived up to their expectations we all strived for so hard to achieve (or perfect) early on in our life but was a room full of people sincerely happy and appreciative for this time together.
I also discovered that the more time I spent with my classmates, the more interesting, attractive and younger they became to me.  And that was unbelievably enlightening to me, because like it or not, I think that we all have become a reflection of one another’s life in some small way, sharing both the joys and happiness of what life has offered to us thus far, but also the reality that we’ve all experienced the same tragedies in life and the sadness of losing loved ones.
For I realize now that regardless of whatever path that we’ve chosen in life, we have all been down virtually the same road and traveled over the same number of miles (in years) that has guided back to Madison, Indiana. To have experience the vitality and passion we all seem to have for life now, is a reaffirmation of life itself, made only possible by our short time association to one another during the years we shared at Madison Consolidated High School together.  Combined this represented a tribute to lifelong friendships and closeness that time and distance has not separated.
I had one of my classmates tell me later that although we’re not in High School any longer, for a short brief period, it sure felt like we were. A profound look at what was truly a special night to remember.
So what’s did I take away from this fabulous weekend?  A lot! I’m so grateful that I’ll not remember any of you as a yearbook picture anymore, those pages have started to fade anyway, but rather those sometime fuzzy old memories of our high school days (good and bad), have been replaced with brand new vivid ones which I’ll continue to cherish for a lifetime.
I also leave knowing that the friendships formed 40 years ago with some of you, are in some cases actually stronger, and more meaningful and important to me now in 2010 than they were back then in the late sixties. Thank you for that!
I ran across a quote recently that I’m sure applies to us all, I think “Never returning to a high school reunion is like dying young”                    I believe that the point here is that never returning to your high school reunion ensures that we’ll be remembered only as we were back then in High School, but is not a true reflection of who we’ve become based upon our lives so far. For just as we remember our first time driving a car alone, going to Park n Eat, watching/playing High School basketball, our first love, etc., a reunion adds a little more to the overall meaning of life itself.
And for others that I regrettably have not seen again after graduation, or no longer are with us, or could not attend this event for one reason or another, there remains a sense of longing for the pleasure of their company again and a “resetting of the clock” per se, as we already been able to do with each other during this year’s and previous reunions.
So an enchanted night for everyone, I hope, and trust that we’re able to see each other from now on in the same light as friends and classmates again, as we had so many years ago. 
Again, I (like many others) are so grateful for those who worked so hard to make this event almost perfect and a huge success. A very special thanks to Sharon Wilson Brawner, for all of the behind the scene efforts, for without her committed and dedication to this event, it would not of been the special time it was for all. Thanks SHARON!
And to those who were kind enough to share some of their thoughts, time, and understanding with Marcia and I, thanks also. So I’ll leave you with this reflection of the 2010 MCHS Class of 1970 Reunion. We hope to see you all again in 2015. When think about it, the next scheduled 45th reunion is just a moment away when compared to the time that has already gone by since we graduated in 1970.
Dan (Danny) J. Adler
9/10/2010
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