Things I learned attending my 50 Year High School Reunion

This past weekend I played hard ball and 'begged' Belinda to travel with me to Wichita, KS, as I attended my 50 year High School Reunion. And... she did! :-)

Wichita is only 2 hours north of Oklahoma City and just under 6 hours north of Dallas, but the difference between these cities and Wichita is huge. How?  Well, just ask anyone who's been to both. People in Wichita, if they do have money, would never dream of acting like they do. Meaning Wichita wears it's midwestern demeanor quite, well, openly - with neat clean houses (regardless of size or age) very little traffic, non-excessive conversation, certainly no braggadocio, and... only the 'correct' pronunciation of the Ar-KANSAS, River, thank you.

Now my reunion was wonderful, but for reasons I could not have envisioned. We inducted 5 alumni into our Wichita High School North Hall of Fame, and this year one of those was a member of our class -  Dr. M. Lee Pelton, President of Emerson College in Boston Mass. Dr. Pelton delivered a stirring speech reminding us of the significance of our times in High School and challenging us with the opportunities of the time we have left. Illustrating his point, he spoke of the phone/computer we all were now holding in our hands, and challenged us in this 'looking down world' to start 'looking up' once more - and connect by leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Since I am a pastor, the reunion committee asked if I might share a 'word of remembrance and prayer' honoring those of our class who had passed away - for out of 620 members almost 100 of us are now deceased. I was glad to do so. Then, as my time was over, I sat down to listen to Lee's speech, and to think about what he was saying and what I was now realizing just from my being there.

1. FOUNDATIONS: High School really is important - but not for the reasons I once thought. Like many, I grew up in High School. In High School I formed friendships and learned of my possibilities and limitations. Going back I couldn't help but note that all that happened to me then has continued marking many of my steps and choices today, but with a difference. Back then I thought that my being accepted was everything, now I know that my having the grace to accept things and others is.

2. RELATIONSHIPS: Cliques no longer matter (at least not as much) In High School there was an 'in crowd.'  I was in ours most of of the time.  But, when I was not (or felt I was not), it bugged me. So much energy was spent on talking to the right people, standing in the right hall, dating the right gal and going to the right party. Those feelings never totally leave, I suppose, but at 68 - if fortunate - they mean far less. Being at my reunion I realized how blessed I was to just be there, and how happy I was to see EVERYbody. The jocks, the brains, the choir folks and the band - ALL looked good to me and I looked good to them. And OH how refreshing this was!

3. TIME & HEALTH: Health is not guaranteed, life is a gift and time is precious. Before I led our class with my prayer, I looked over the names and faces of those who had passed away and was struck with the notion of how we so often think of personal health as something we are owed. That is a lie. God gives and takes away. The young people of those pictures had just as much promise as I did. Like me, none were guaranteed anything more than we all. So I have learned that today is the day the LORD has given me, and today I will rejoice and be glad in it by being the best I can be with the time, talents and health I have now.

4. LEGACY/MOVING ON: Life is made of chapters and the present chapter matters most. Though it was so good to see my classmates and 'remember', I was most proud of the fact that we'd all moved on. Susan had lived for 9 years in Yellowstone Park and was now living in Denver.  Dick and Jan had finally found one another, and now were happily married for over 20 years. Linda had been blessed with a daughter, the love of her life and the joy of teaching preschoolers. Our class 'tough guy' had raised 3 sons, with 2 of them playing professional baseball. Brad was living his 'retirement' as an oceanographer observing the Pacific off the island of Kauai. In other words, the first chapter was not where any had stayed. One spoke of finding Christ, another of finding love, and another of overcoming their addiction to alcohol. Still another spoke of being called to serve on the mission field - not when young but now as a 'new chapter' adult - so that the adventure had carried on. High School was not anyone's last stop, it was simply a launching pad. So that now, looking back was just that - simply a look back to say 'thank you' before moving on to chapter next!

In my Spiritual Formations class at East Texas Baptist University today one of my students was tasked with bringing our devotion. Her name is Vicki, and she is but 19 years of age. This is what Vicki read...

'In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." Proverbs 16:9

Indeed He does, Vicki. Indeed, He really does.

Pastor Sam Dennis
Wichita High School NORTH, Class of 1968