We’re seniors, not old folks!

With names like Shirley, Sharon, Robert, and Edward, we had stood that April day, on the steps of Grant Elementary School in Tacoma, Washington, to have our kindergarten class picture taken. I still have the photograph gracing the wall of our den. It was 1944 and D-Day was just two months away. Fast forward 70 plus years. Six kindergarteners from that photo were among the attendees at Tacoma’s Stadium High School’s 60th class reunion.

A 60th high school reunion conjures up images of white-haired ladies sipping tea. I just came from a very special one. There were 512 in our 1956 class. Many have died of course, but there was a whooping 100 in attendance plus some 50 guests.

Our class has always had reunions every ten years. However, in the last twenty years, we have had both five and ten-year reunions. This year, rooms had been blocked out at The La Quinta for out-of-towners.

Many class members were still very active whether it was because of grandchildren or embarking upon a new career. Edie had just published a book; Larry was still practicing dentistry. Others have traveled.

The cocktail hour ran for two. Wine was served with dinner preceded by a champagne toast. In 1956 we were too young to drink. It was enjoyable walking around, taking a sly look at the name tags and catching up. Conversation was not about what we did in high school, but what we are doing now.

Compared to the tenth reunion, there was no talk about where you went to school, how much money you were making, or what your zip code was. As someone pointed out, we were just so glad to be seeing our classmates “taking up space.” Someone would come up and give you a hug and you are wondering, now, who is this? It didn’t take long to find out. Name tags are indispensable!

As was the norm, the widows outnumbered the widowers. What surprised me was the abundance of grey hair. So many had decided to go au natural. And, maybe, just a little Botox on one classmate …

There were eight of us to a table. When it came time for the buffet, wheelchairs went first in line. Surprisingly there was only one. The organizers had given us roast beef, salmon and chicken with numerous side dishes.

Of course, we had to sing the school song, “Old Gold and Blue.” Voices were a little wobbly compared to our high school days, but no one forgot the words! And, our college counselor Miss Sohlberg was in attendance at ninety-five years of age.

We were given a list of addresses and email addresses of some 250 surviving class members. Facebook requests are starting to pop up. They are a treat.

Our next meeting? Someone suggested a 70th reunion. We’d all be in our mid-eighties?

Oh my!

Shared by Wynne Crombie, Nicholasville, Kentucky.