Reunion

I have been thinking about reunions lately. Alumni who graduated from Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington, NY, 50 years ago are planning a 50th Reunion. Where did the years go? High School helped us to prepare for life and relationships. When I look at our High School year books, some of us had long term goals and direction, but most of our personal comments involved temporary likes and aspirations. Life was really less complicated then, and most of us were a little naive. Some of the likes described under our pictures were; sports, cars, dancing, food, money, and days off from school. Dreams mentioned were; to own a corvette, travel the world, to graduate from High School, to graduate from college, to get married, to be a millionaire, to marry a millionaire, and to live “the life of Reilly”. Kids today wouldn’t understand that last one! One student’s dream was “to be alive at 50”. Well he made it! he’s coming to the reunion. My likes were very essential; eating, sleeping, and talking on the telephone. My dreams were long term and I have been granted both. They were to have success and happiness in a nursing career and marriage. My profession and my family are huge parts of who I have become. I started Nursing School in the fall after High School graduation. A year after becoming a nurse, I married Richard, my high school sweetheart. We will be celebrating our 47th anniversary on September 25, 2011.

My mother would say, “your high school years are the best years of your life!”. While in the middle of a life’s stage, we can only see the present, not the whole picture. I can remember worrying about temporary things like tests, grades, and friendships. We are usually unable to see how a school’s philosophy or how the power of individual teachers will have a permanent effect on our lives.

Who we become, is influenced by family genetics, family values and interactions, choices we make, and the external experiences of life. Our high school years did help to mold us. God uses all of our life experiences to shape our character and form who we become. Our mind, spirit, and emotions grow as our body matures and changes through out our life time.

This reunion is certainly special, but the ultimate reunion will be at the end of this life. At that time, we will be reunited with our loved ones on the other side. I envision my Mom, my Dad, and my girls, Elisa, and Carrie, being at heaven’s entrance to meet me. With them will be Aunt Carrie, Heidi, and other believers who have touched my earthly life and gone on ahead of me. Most of all, Jesus will be the all consuming light and presence in Heaven. I will be with Him and my loved ones throughout eternity. What a Reunion that will be!

I thank you Lord for the gift of faith and the hope of eternity which is within me.
I will continue to live my present life to its fullest as I await the ultimate reunion.