BRATTLEBORO — We were the freshmen, the Brattleboro Union High School Class of 1964, and then we were the graduates and weren't we all so glad for that long-anticipated event to arrive.
Once our graduation ceremony concluded, we quickly scattered in our own directions without thought to the fact that we were seeing some of our classmates for the last time. We had no way of knowing that in a few short years many of our classmates would be gone or that by the 50th anniversary of our graduation, nearly one quarter of our members would no longer be living.
On Alumni Weekend, June 21–23, the remaining members of our class celebrated their 50th year “out.” These times were a wonderful way to reconnect with friends and favorite places.
Catching up with the lives of classmates is exactly what we did all weekend long. Weren't we so happy to see one another; the hugs, the firm handshakes, the looks of surprise (or disbelief), and the buzz of endless conversations.
And who could not appreciate the very sunny, warm, spectacular June weather weekend enjoyed by all in these Green Mountains, in a place we still call home - Vermont?
With the culmination of a five-year journey, our Reunion Committee put together a busy three days for our classmates. Friday morning, a number of class golfers enjoyed a round at the Bretwood Golf Course in Keene.
Later on Friday evening, a large crowd gathered at the New England House for a meet-and-greet celebration. (“Is that really you?”)
On Saturday morning, for the golfers, many joined in the BUHS Alumni Association Golf Tournament at the Brattleboro Country Club. At about the same time, a group of classmates were taken on a guided tour of our renovated alma mater, BUHS.
Our formal social event of the weekend came on Saturday evening, dinner at the Nita and John Lowrey International Center at World Learning on Kipling Road.
And finally, Sunday morning, a breakfast send-off took place at the home of Dick and Barbara Hodgdon on Meadowbrook Road.
During those past five years of planning, members of the BUHS Class of 1964 generously donated to a class scholarship fund, which by the end of our reunion weekend raised more than $25,000. Impressive!
Beginning this year, a financial award will be presented to a deserving graduate of the BUHS Class of 2015.
Final thoughts. When you are 18 years old, anything seems possible. Yet, when you have lived at least 68 years or so, you have gained a certain amount of wisdom just by traveling over the bumps in the road. These are the lessons we have learned from all these years, and the ones the younger folks are just beginning to understand.
• The importance of holding life in reverence.
• The critical importance of enjoying the moment and living it well.
• The strength of humility, the futility of pride.
• The emptiness of achieving money and power and status at the price of soul.
• And - most of all - gratitude.