My Call to Love: High School Reunion

Thursday, October 7, 2010

High School Reunion

This past weekend was my 20th high school reunion. I grew up in a small town in Arkansas where there was one junior high and one high school. It was a great place to live as a child. We rode bikes ALL over town, had three wheelers to cruise in open fields on, and lots of family nearby. It is a farming community, and sadly, one that has suffered over the past few years.

Upstairs Hallway

Entrance to High School

It was so fun to go back and see old friends...and also a good wake up call about how easy it is to let those important to us slip away slowly as we get caught up in our daily routines. I drove past friends' homes where we used to play outside and could still vividly remember the smell of Newport Lake where we would feed the ducks and swans, and hope that there were no snakes nearby. The smell of oil and tires always smells "comfortable" to me from my years of hanging around my Dad's farm. It is hard to go back and see the place where you once lived not faring so well...but it was wonderful to see all of my classmates, some teachers, family and old neighbors who are doing well. I hope to keep up better...to always call when we head back to Arkansas and try to set up time to visit. No more "maybe next time I will have more time!" The older I get, the more I can see that there is NEVER more time....unless you make it!

Alex and Grandad at the farm

Jack tasting soybeans for "ready to harvest" taste

Grandad and Ben...picking all of the soybean crop!

We surprised the boys on the way home with a long pit stop at the Memphis Zoo. We have never taken them there, and boy did they have fun! We saw wolves and grizzly bears, Gaboon Vipers, PANDA BEARS :), a sea lion show, a giraffe very up close and personal, and just had loads of fun! The boys were all tuckered out and had a great time, as did William and I. We were happy to get back home too, and get back into the groove.