Reasons Why

In all the excitement, it was easy to forget that there were over 20 classmates that paid for reservations for what everyone has started calling the 44th (it's shorter and just as good a name as any other) but for whatever reason couldn't make it. We followed up (I should say Linda followed up, it's just her nature). For the most part, it was an interesting and sometimes amusing story.Two folks just fogged up and forgot. One waited at Howell Shelter and never went to look at the signs that Willis posted on the door. We met one a few days after who said,"See you on Saturday". We were sorry to have to explain that they missed it. The stories go on and on.

There was one story that wasn't all fun and games though. We found out a few days later when Lionel Phelps' wife was listed in the Obits in the paper. We then knew why Lionel didn't make it. Although we haven't said it before, our deepest sympathies go out to him. The same thing happened to Sandy Isaacs Simms, who lost her mother just a couple days before.

I'm a little disappointed in my own classmates lukewarm response to my offer to help find lost classmates, something that we have a little experience with. They seem to be in the Glory Days phase of things, you know, like the Springsteen song. They just keep track of people who show for the events and assume that anyone else isn't interested. Which means that if you miss one, you fall off the radar. No one ever gets a second chance. Is that right?  I don't think so. Think of how many wouldn't have come to the 44 if we had taken that attitude? How many good times missed? How many friendships renewed? How many stories not shared? But if they don't really want the help despite protestations to the contrary.......So we sent the the first batch of classmates to them with contact info. We'll see what they have to say. You know, two of the people actually were Facebook friends with one of the committee who didn't realize that the people were listed as lost. Like a lot of our "lost", a few out of the top of the list were hidden in plain sight in our home town.

Linda tells me that we still have a lot to do to get ready for the Reitz 45. Maybe I should let others do it for the Wayne Valley 45th. Speaking of which, a reminder that tickets for the condo drawing in August are still on sale for a $10 donation and are available from any of the Reunion committee. Support the effort. Get a few tickets. You might just get a great free vacation out of the deal too!