very well expressed feelings. That's what life is. As Robert Frost says, "Life goes on". It's an unidirectional journey. School days are the best ones out of this journey.
I resonate with this - and say " well done " on making your decision and effort to attend.
In April 1993, whilst at a High School Reunion, a group of us decided we would get our old class from primary school back together.
It transpired that our decision was momentous, and greeted openly by everyone from our class ; we were able to track down everybody from " our class of '69 ", which was our final year before we venture off to high school. Today, there are still only 2 levels of schooling in the town - primary and high school.
Our energy and efforts to track and locate everyone was huge, and grew as momentum gathered. It should be noted here, all of this was pre-interweb and pre-cellphones, etc . We received only positive results and comments from everybody that we located and touched base with.
We've had some wonderful " class of '69 reunions " since then, and although it is sad that the school is no longer in existence, we continue the bonds, friendships, philosophies of what being at Hillcrest School in Dannevirke brought to ALL of us.
There was recently a very impromptu gathering held in Dannevirke ( organised at short notice around myself being there ), and it was absolutely wonderful ( yet again ).
I am glowing as I am typing this . . . . . . reminiscing of the wonderful times . . . . . and I am already looking forward to our next " class of '69 " reunion in Dannevirke during November 2024.
" Thank You " for today's blog - it has truly warmed my heart !
The only school reunion I've ever attended was the 50th Jubilee at Sunnyvale Primary, in West Auckland, where I did my Form 1 and 2 years (Year 7 and 8 in today's language). Being pre-teens at the time, it was pretty difficult to immediately recognize faces before introductions. But as soon as the name was mentioned, the face took on the familiarity. Possibly for a high school reunion the youth/adult resemblance might have been easier to pick.
But, like you, Steve, the conversations were all along similar lines, comparing notes about our respective life-paths, and thinking of the number of people in our class photos that were no longer alive - many by accidents, ill health and - yes - suicide.
Don't hold your breath about renewing the friendships and maintaining contact. I was very keen to do that and certainly tried, but discovered that people had, in reality, moved on with their busy lives and had no room for additional interests. While we all made the promise to do so, I've put that down to being nothing more than the "right thing to say at the time". Most people's life paths cross our own path for a brief time and for a specific purpose. Once that purpose has been fulfilled, we move on - sometimes never to meet again. That's life.
I must admit I have never been to a school reunion. I am aware that at least one has been held a few years ago and I suspect others as well. But the distance I have moved mostly precludes attendance.
I suspect like you I would find some had changed a lot and some less so. I for one have ceased to be British and become a kiwi. Ok the language is similar and I still have Anglo/German heritage but how I look at the world has changed.
Never the less, I think attending such an event would be interesting. Particularly, given my naturism is more overt these days. While I was raised a naturist it was certainly something that was not shouted about when I attended school. These days I'm way less likely to stay quiet about the lifestyle I choose and it's benefits
very well expressed feelings. That's what life is. As Robert Frost says, "Life goes on". It's an unidirectional journey. School days are the best ones out of this journey.
I resonate with this - and say " well done " on making your decision and effort to attend.
In April 1993, whilst at a High School Reunion, a group of us decided we would get our old class from primary school back together.
It transpired that our decision was momentous, and greeted openly by everyone from our class ; we were able to track down everybody from " our class of '69 ", which was our final year before we venture off to high school. Today, there are still only 2 levels of schooling in the town - primary and high school.
Our energy and efforts to track and locate everyone was huge, and grew as momentum gathered. It should be noted here, all of this was pre-interweb and pre-cellphones, etc . We received only positive results and comments from everybody that we located and touched base with.
We've had some wonderful " class of '69 reunions " since then, and although it is sad that the school is no longer in existence, we continue the bonds, friendships, philosophies of what being at Hillcrest School in Dannevirke brought to ALL of us.
There was recently a very impromptu gathering held in Dannevirke ( organised at short notice around myself being there ), and it was absolutely wonderful ( yet again ).
I am glowing as I am typing this . . . . . . reminiscing of the wonderful times . . . . . and I am already looking forward to our next " class of '69 " reunion in Dannevirke during November 2024.
" Thank You " for today's blog - it has truly warmed my heart !
The only school reunion I've ever attended was the 50th Jubilee at Sunnyvale Primary, in West Auckland, where I did my Form 1 and 2 years (Year 7 and 8 in today's language). Being pre-teens at the time, it was pretty difficult to immediately recognize faces before introductions. But as soon as the name was mentioned, the face took on the familiarity. Possibly for a high school reunion the youth/adult resemblance might have been easier to pick.
But, like you, Steve, the conversations were all along similar lines, comparing notes about our respective life-paths, and thinking of the number of people in our class photos that were no longer alive - many by accidents, ill health and - yes - suicide.
Don't hold your breath about renewing the friendships and maintaining contact. I was very keen to do that and certainly tried, but discovered that people had, in reality, moved on with their busy lives and had no room for additional interests. While we all made the promise to do so, I've put that down to being nothing more than the "right thing to say at the time". Most people's life paths cross our own path for a brief time and for a specific purpose. Once that purpose has been fulfilled, we move on - sometimes never to meet again. That's life.
"irrelevant old people some of whom looked hauntingly familiar."
I would just be irrelevant. I have never gotten an invitation to a high school reunion.
I must admit I have never been to a school reunion. I am aware that at least one has been held a few years ago and I suspect others as well. But the distance I have moved mostly precludes attendance.
I suspect like you I would find some had changed a lot and some less so. I for one have ceased to be British and become a kiwi. Ok the language is similar and I still have Anglo/German heritage but how I look at the world has changed.
Never the less, I think attending such an event would be interesting. Particularly, given my naturism is more overt these days. While I was raised a naturist it was certainly something that was not shouted about when I attended school. These days I'm way less likely to stay quiet about the lifestyle I choose and it's benefits