NEWS FROM THE HILLS
Dear Cousin,
Fifty years ago, a group of graduating seniors marched out of the high school gymnasium, clutching their hard-won diplomas in their hands. It was a balmy spring evening, with honeysuckle vines climbing the bank behind the school building. Its nostalgic scent hung heavy in the air, as did the hopeful dreams and excited anticipation of this class. Several of us were only 16 years old, having been double promoted back in the primary classes. We were young and green, yet self-confident enough to take on the world. Our class motto was, “Dreams are ours to have and to hold.” We were holding our dreams that night, along with our diplomas.
And so we scattered, out into that warm-scented, star-studded spring evening, to go our separate ways. It was an emotional leave-taking, as many of us had gone to school with the same group of students from the first grade until this graduation night. There were deep bonds forged that time has never dissolved. But there was a sinking feeling that some of us would never cross paths again, which proved to be true. Some went on to pursue higher education, and others found employment. Many migrated to other states, where chances for employment were much greater. A few married soon after graduation; in fact, there were three couples that married within the graduating class. (They are still happily married.)
Fifty years later, the Clay County High School class of 1952 met for their reunion. It was not a warm spring evening, but a warm October day. Autumn was just beginning to touch the hills with a feathering of gold, and excitement was in the air. We gathered into the old high school building, which is now Clay Middle School. The years had brought many changes. The gymnasium was the only thing unchanged from our past. The once stately school building had been reduced by fire into a ghost of its former self.
The cafeteria where we gathered once contained Mrs. Icie McCune’s homeroom, and in our mind we could feel her presence. She was a true lady, and inspired in us a love for literature and poetry that has remained through the years. The building was not the only thing that was changed. The light-hearted, heedless boys and girls of 50 years ago had become parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Twenty-two members out of our class of 127 had folded up their dreams and laid them aside, to leave this present world. Most of us had lost at least one parent, and some had lost spouses. Time had brought heartaches, along with the joys we all experience.
We looked around at one another; senior citizens we had become. There was gray hair, white hair, dyed hair and no hair. In our mind’s eye, we saw one another, as we were 50 years ago. It took a little while, but features, mannerisms and personalities became familiar once more. It was a wonderful time of renewing old friendships, reminiscing of the past and reforming deep ties. There were tears, warm hugs and laughter as we drifted back into the past. Perhaps the dreams we held did not materialize as we had once planned. Life is strange and uncertain, with many quirks and turns in the road, and we are always aware of “the road not taken.” Still, God has been good to all of us, and many of the hard places we brought on ourselves. I still trust Him to lead me on through, and although I may not know the road ahead, He does. Daddy used to sing, “The future lies unseen ahead/ It holds I know not what/ But still I know I need not dread/ For Jesus faileth not.”
Bless you and yours love,
Cousin Alyce Faye
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