It’s Reunion Time Again!  Those words strike both fear and joy in my heart. Why? Because a few years ago I accepted the gauntlet to lead the reunion committee in planning the “36^th”.  You see, we had a wonderful group of classmates who had diligently worked to bring us the 10^th, 20^th, 25^th, and 30^th reunions.  But the 35^th reunion did not materialize.  I had played a part in previous reunion planning by assisting Paula Kennedy Glass and others in searching for missing classmates and had ultimately ended up with the spreadsheet that has become our class database.  However, no one contacted me about a 35^th reunion, nor did I take any action to encourage one.  

In 2000, Peaches Sweezy Walker, Class of ’63, hosted a party that officially included, for the first time, multiple SOC classes – 1961-1965.  Since our class had skipped the 35^th reunion, Judy Walker Crouch joined me in sending invitations to our ’64 classmates encouraging them to attend the party in 2000.  About 64 people from the Class of ’64 were in attendance at that event.  

That party set in motion a rebirth of many friendships and a new interaction among our classes.  Monthly luncheons sprung up; the annual Christmas party.  Folks from ’66 joined in the group.  Then several people from the class of ’64 hinted “are we going to have a 40^th reunion”?  For whatever reasons, that question seemed to be directed at me, and a new reunion committee was formed.  We had that 40^th Reunion in 2004 and in 2006 we celebrated our “communal” 60^th birthday.  Subsequently, we’ve joined other classes in celebration of their reunions and birthdays and other events.  

Now we are approaching our 45^th Reunion.  The “fear” I have is that people may not have a good time, or won’t like the menu, or won’t like the itinerary.  (I’m glad to say, that my fears are unfounded.)  My joy is the simple joy of seeing people from my youth – some I’ve known since elementary school or my early church years – people with whom I share that bond of growing up in a time that was simple and warm and loving and a bond that no one can break.  Please join us at the reunion. You’ll be glad you did!

Shannon