Archive: Opinions

My wife and I traveled to our alma mater, Hamilton College, for our 25th class reunion last weekend. Unlike most of the couples who attended the festivities of Reunion Weekend, both of us were active participants in the conversations and revisions of history that occur at these events.

Being from the same class has its advantages.  One spouse did not have to sit by idly and listen while the other recalled events from those young and carefree years.  In other words, my wife could operate the truth meter during various conversations and encourage me to adjust stories as needed.  It is strange how time alters the actual sequence of events in one’s life especially with a glass of merlot in hand.

We went to the reunion for one simple reason-to meet up with our friends.  Although we received an excellent education at Hamilton College and truly enjoyed our four years there, neither my wife nor I have any deep loyalty to the school like older generations who attended.  We do not speak with fondness or nostalgia about the institution rather our connection with the college is based solely on the friendships we formed during our four years there.

What many of our fellow classmates find surprising is the bond that or group of friends has formed over the years.  Nearly a dozen of us lived in the same dorm our freshman year.  Over the course of our first year, we developed relationships based on trust, respect, and in some cases physical attraction.  We shared meals, classes, joys and sorrows.  We wrote to each other over the summer and remained in close contact after graduation.  We were, in many respects, a family, and the bonds that unite us have only strengthened over time.

Some things have changed during these 25 years.  Few of us sport the same slender physique that we had back in the mid 1980’s.  About half of the men in our group have lost about half of their hair.  Our children are now reaching the age when they will have to decide on which college to attend.  To no one’s surprise, the women in our group look fantastic and are aging with grace and beauty that cannot be achieved through cosmetics and plastic surgery.

The class reunion committee put together a PowerPoint slide show that played during our dinner.  We laughed as we looked at those young, optimistic, and confidant kids adorned in their khakis, cotton sweaters and Oxford button down shirts. They were ready for any challenge and every adventure.

The slides faded in and out on the large screen. It seemed like we were watching history replay itself.  In each picture everyone had a smile, and come to think of it, those kids had the same smile at the 25th reunion.   Life is good.  Life has so much to offer.  Smile for the camera.  And that is to the point.

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