Lancaster High School Class of 1964
Sometimes
I just don't want to say goodbye.
It's 3:52AM on Sunday, October 18, 2009.
The 45th annual reunion of the LHS Class of 64 is now history. Many classmates
came to the reunion. Some decided it was important enough to travel from as
far away as England and the west coast of the United States. Others found
themselves in situations or with limitations that prohibited them from attending
this year.
I'm certainly not condemning those who could not participate and hope they will
be able to attend our 50th reunion. I am suggesting that at this stage
in my life... I feel that life is precious and that in my time left on this
earth, I want to treasure and thank all the people who were part of my formative
years. I am talking about those years that formed my do's and don'ts,
my desires and my goals, and my boundaries. I can't think of many core
beliefs that I now hold as true that didn't come from those years. I believe
I am a product of those years. And I am proud of that.
Twelve of our classmates were unable to make the decision to attend this year's
event. They were the dozen who passed on to eternity over the past five
years since our 40th class reunion. Tonight I looked at the memorial.
I watched the video. I listened to Roberta speak each of their names.
And I cried. As the bell tolled, one by one, I wondered why my tears
came. After having thought about it for a few hours, I think my tears
weren't because they were gone but rather it was because I know now that I will
not have another chance to tell them how much I appreciate their contribution
to who I am today. They were part of us. They are part of us. They
helped mold us. And we honor them. Each and every one of them. You
and I are the sum total of who they made us. And as my classmates, one by one,
left the Eagles hall tonight I found that sometimes I just didn't want to say
goodbye.
I spent the afternoon today with one classmate who has overcome a tragic plane
crash. Tonight I interviewed another who has lived through multiple surgeries.
Others have lost husbands and some have lost wives. Some are still
trying to get back on their feet from every imaginable devastation, from the
death of their children, to divorce or financial ruin. For one, tonight
was a handshake back from a youth scattered with self destructive decisions
that prohibited him from him becoming the musical artist that his spirit still
strives to achieve.
However, I found a common thread of truth from all of them. They all have
stories. They all have suffered loss. And they all are strengthened
by others who make that extra phone call to say, "how are you today".
They all live for the email or greeting card or prayer from us. They
all exhibit the universal truth that no man is an island. And tonight
I found that sometimes I just didn't want to say goodbye.
I re-met many classmates I spent 4 years with back in the early 60's but this
time we all drank from the same glass of wine. We all have felt the joy
and sorrow of 45 years of living. Some are pouring their lives into their
grandchildren. Others are still searching for that special soul mate.
And many are well down the road of resigning themselves to a declining
life, waiting for that angel who will eventually call our name to come home.
And yes, there are a few who, like me, who want to turn the clock back
so we can relive everything just one more time.
Thank you God, for the laughter, and the joy I witnessed tonight. Thank
you for the love I saw being extended as a result of knowing we are all your
children and you have given us yet another opportunity to touch each other just
one more time... just one more time.
Tonight I found promise in talking with a classmate who overcame drugs and alcohol
to be sober for almost 30 years and who was able to stand in a room where people
were smoking and drinking and he had just as much fun as the rest of us. I
ask him to share with me his strength as I am facing hard decisions to change
my lifestyle to unclog my heart arteries.
I hugged a girl who recently lost her husband and has been running from that
reality because the thought of facing it is too painful. I know that she
is learning that she will spend one year of mourning, no matter how many weeks
she tries to postpone that eventuality. She is strong and she will endure.
Few knew that one of us was just laid off this week however the spirit of fear
and doom was replace with a call of new opportunities within a day.
I am blessed. I was fortunate enough to share my life again and learn
from all these people who made me who I am. The ones who promoted me as
"comic relief" as well as those who read my ramblings and find that
sill waters run deep.
I attended my high school's 45th class reunion this weekend and I again found
love. Both love that I am required to extend and love I must allow others
to extend to me.
Although tonight I saw more people dressed in black than at a funeral (you know
that black is slimming) my eyes saw each and every one through the filter of
the LHS 64 Mirage. Our spirits remain at that age and even though our
bodies don't conform, we can choose which person we want to see.
As for me tonight, I saw every girl in my class as the homecoming queen and every guy as the star athlete that I remember. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I find that I just don't want to say goodbye.
Thanks for the memory,
Steve Campbell
Click Above to see meeting minutes and pictures
IMPORTANT MESSAGE
Phil Hobbs volunteers to head "Class of 64" Scholarship Program
Thanks to Phil and several other classmates who have donated, the 2009 LHS Class of 64 Scholarship Award was presented in May 2009. If you want to donate toward this worthy cause, please contact Phil Hobbs............ Email: Seahawk48@aol.com
Memorialize your loved one or friend with a "Class of 64 Scholarship" contribution in their name.
You will receive a certificate commemorating your gift.
On May 11th the 2009"Class of 64" Scholarship was awarded to Amie Kemp.
For the first time "The Class of 64 Scholarship" was recognized as a separate item in the event's program
Details and pictures of the 2009 award ceremony
Our 2008 "Class of 64" Scholarship was awarded to Kasie Logan.
Our 2007 "Class of 64" Scholarship winner was Samatha Harford.
Our 2006 "Class of 64" Scholarship Winner was Devan Anthony
New posting to "Rambings" 6/9/2009
See you at the "Fair" We traditionally meet at The Fairview for drinks and stories on Thursday night
Photos, Suggestions, or Comments? Send them to webmaster@lhs64.com