I have a feeling that they might be a bit disappointed by the turnout. The weather in the region - in truth up the whole of the east coast - was heavy rain and intermittent sun for days. Flash flood warnings loomed, and places through the Mohawk Valley experienced heavy flooding. Certainly, some folks, who might otherwise have been there, had to repair damages to their own homes.
nevertheless, those of us who found our way to the picnic were not disappointed and certainly did not wish they were somewhere else that afternoon. There was plenty of opportunity to actually talk to each other and to share stories and laugh out loud with full heartfelt joy.
Some highlights - and I am sure I have not mentioned everything:
Gourmet BBQ by Peter included Italian sausage -a "usual" in that neck of the woods - along with the burgers, clams, shishkebob, and smokey aromas...his retirement hobby - a roadside ribs and chicken takeout and, of course the tale of his first sexual encounter (turned out to be a really cool joke instead of "tmi')...Bernie in his classic convertible and touring hat and lovely wife at his side...Ed and Paulette smiling without ceasing...Karen has six granddaughters and the whole family rents a cabin at Diane's Big Moose every year, Connie and Richard's gratitude for support after hurricane Sandy's onslaught, Mike's lymphoma and pending stem cell infusion - especially his confidence that he will be well soon...reflection with Mike and Barbara on feeling like outsiders in high school...Roger's humor and welcoming energy. He told jokes he told to his classes - a new one every day - which were funny then and culturally inappropriate today - but we laughed from a "then" perspective", sometimes remembering the jokes from way back then. (missed Linda who had broken a tooth)...queries from two fine gentlemen who I shall not name, who were well buzzed and who were wanting some answers about who put out in high school, my response being that probably no one did, if the truth be revealed, and I sure never ran into any guys who really did!!!. No satisfaction there, they then questioned the validity of the whiteness of my teeth...a kiss on the forehead from Tom who lives in Liverpool with his very friendly and beautiful wife...Tim got married for the first time when he was 49 and was looking forward to Nick visiting him in Old Forge soon (later was talking to him on the cell phone announcing to us that this was happening)...Bill, who has aged like a fine wine, is a strikingly handsome widower now, although he was always adorable with those special ears and freckles. His son encourages him to go to Florida to find a rich widow to play golf with...Ellen and I were in the same church youth group. She was very active, but I only went when my mother made me...Carol had to leave to have dinner with her daughter...Terry and Stan have a miniature dog which rules them...Ethel - now Marie - reminded us she lived across the street from the school, that her mother ran an ice cream shop and told about the year she offered pie and ice cream to the winning football team (who that season were unbeatable)...
Tables full of food, a mural of those who have gone on, a map with push pins of where everyone lived back then, the steamy BBQ pit, the tables full of smiles and laughter, sand pails of flowers made of photos from last year's picnic, Bernie's winning the 50-50 raffle, and pending down pours to over saturate the grassy picnic area, all made for a memorable day.
When Mike told me I am the official class earth mother, I found myself reflecting on how different the experience of this picnic and last years reunion have been from my memories of high school. This day was an opportunity to be rooted in deep and nurturing earth of the collective, yet separate internal experiences, of a phenomena called the WCS Class of '62. How privileged we are to have been able to reclaim this sense of community with such a strongly bonded common heart.
A huge realization, that I also belong: I was taking portrait photos of everyone, was finished, when someone offered to take one of me, too. It came, at the time, as a surprise. Karen asked me why I was taking them, and I said, "For ricky dick," which literally translated means, "Because I have a camera," but they were really for me to be able to see the details of delighted faces later on. (They are on the WCS Class of '62 facebook page)
Accolades of applause to the planning committee who felt drawn to the value of these events, enough to take the time during the year to meet and create a sense of belonging for each and everyone, whether in attendance or not able to be.
I have talked to others and have heard from them, similar experiences of reuniting and forming a new sense of family like community. What has been your experience of a new community molded from old bonds?
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