My dad graduated from Abraham Lincoln high school, Class of 1954. His fiftieth reunion was in October of 2004. It was two weeks after I returned from my honeymoon in Aruba.
ALHS is in Council Bluffs, Iowa which is located in western Iowa. Just across the river from Omaha, Nebraska.
My dad really wanted to go, but my evil stepmother didn’t want anything to do with it. I just got married a month before the reunion, so my Oldman was hesitant to ask me.
I think my dad needed some closure and to go back home for the last time. I bought an airline ticket to Omaha, rented a car and called my dad to tell him I was joining him for the Abe Lincoln, Class of 1954 Fiftieth Reunion.
I had only visited Council Bluffs a couple times as a kid. It’s an old railroad town that held many memories for my dad.
It was a long weekend that was filled with events for people in their late sixties….. and me.
Looking back at it know I’m glad that I went. My dad was glad that I went as well. It gave him the closure that he needed and a peace of mind that he was looking for.
My dad lived another sixteen years and he often brought up how great his fiftieth reunion was and how proud he was of me that weekend.
It’s that time of the year and the classes with three’s and eights have reunions coming up. The Class of ‘83 was a year older than me. It was a great class that got along well with the mighty Class of ‘84.
The guy I talk about often, John Wagner was in that class. I'm sure he’ll be there in spirit this weekend.
I have another dear friend in that class that is very hesitant about going. She’s a Chalkhead that will be reading this at some point this morning. Hopefully my ALHS Reunion story convinces her to attend the Cathedral High School, Class of ‘83 reunion.
It’s going to be a great night filled with memories, laughter, tears and maybe some closure.
We sure as hell didn’t know when we were eighteen that fifty-eight will be just as awkward.
It is and you’ll be fine!!!!
Can’t wait to see the pictures next week….
Let’s hope for some clear skies these next few days. Maybe pay attention to my sunrise and sunset times. It’s Chicago Henge weekend and the sun is perfectly lined up with the Chicago Grid. The sun will shine across the east/west streets in the city.
If you have a school reunion, attend it. If you have some marinating pork chops, grill them. If you have someone you love, hug them. If your football team sucks, support them. If God is in your life, Praise Him.
…And if your sun needs a smile, get out the chalk.
