55th OHS Reunion

Last weekend I went into Orange for my 55th reunion at Orange High School. A small group of us met the evening before for a get together and dinner at the home of Forrest & Diane Shattuck. I stayed at Nancy and Terry Teigen's home in Orange as did Don and Gale Sturdevant. Sondra and Bob Teeter rounded out our little group. We all sat around reminiscing. The reunion, was held at Chapman University. Chapman bought the old high school buildings after our second year of high school, so the reunion was like going back to our original high school. We had a great time in our little group and at the reunion--although it seemed like there were a lot of old people there. 51 of our class have died--probably about 30%. A couple of our faculty made it to the reunion, but they are becoming rather scarce. Just a few days before the reunion John Bayard, one of our teachers, passed away. A website in his honor contained this poem he had written, which I liked:

To Those I Love

When I am gone, just release me, let me go —

so I can move into my afterglow.

You mustn't tie me down with your tears;

let's be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess

how much you gave me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you each have shown,

but now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me awhile, if grieve you must,

then let your grief be comforted with trust.

It's only for a while that we must part,

so bless the memories within your heart.

And then, when you must come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home."

John Bayard---June 12, 1923 – September 18, 2010

We walked and drove around Orange which is now a historic district with all the old houses and storefronts being preserved. It is becoming a town of upscale restaurants and antique stores. I went by the house I was born in. It has been moved from the original lot (which was 5 acres of oranges at one time) but is still intact.

So it was a good weekend with friends and acquaintances some of whom I hadn't seen in 55 years. Also, Stanford trounced Notre Dame. After I got back to Carlsbad, Forrest sent this link which I think sums up the feelings at a reunion like this.

This Saturday I will be heading back to Texas with a stop in Tucson along the way to see the Woosleys. Unless something happens between now and then, I will not be posting until I am back there.