A poem for our birthdays

Sybil, wife of Mort who writes the blog Octogenarian, wrote this on the occasion of her recent 80th birthday, but reading through it, I decided it sounds pretty much like turning 70. At the mini-reunion at Moe and Nancy's, three members of the class were rejoicing at being returned to friends and family after recent serious health problems. So for all of us, whatever our age this year (I think 1939 would probably win out as a birth year for our class), here's her poem. I missed the reunion, but when I was in MM at Easter having coffee with Nancy and Lynne, I know I heard the importance of friendship many, many times, which is really what Sybil decides too.

AN OCTOGENARIAN'S LAMENT

I look in the mirror and see a strange face.
Oh, surely this image is in the wrong place.

There should be a picture, alive and aglow,
A young pretty girl with no signs of woe.

But alas I see a woman, who's old and worn,
With wrinkles and lines from the cares she has borne.

It's hard to accept that never again
Will I get the glances of much younger men.

I really feel like I'm out of the loop.
The computer keyboard to me Looks like alphabet soup.

The mouse is erratic and just won't behave
And I never remember the key for work that you save.

I don't have a Blackberry, or play an Nintendo game
And all the hip-hop music to me sounds the same.

I'm even beginning to feel quite bitter
That I have no idea what it means to TWITTER!

And so like the poet I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high O'er vale and hill
when all at once I saw a crowd
Not of golden daffodils, but of my wonderful friends.

I really should tell ol' Wordsworth
That a friend brings more joy than a daffodil.
Your love and compassion have helped me through the years
As you have patiently listened to my woes and my fears.

So thank you and bless you for helping me celebrate my special day.
Your devotion means more to me than I can say.

I love you all.

---------------

Sybil gave permission to post this.

More mini-reunion photos

Sara, Fran, Mary Jane and Sylvia enjoy the lovely weather and flowers

Sara's husband Bill and Dwayne.

Here's Bob C. chatting with Pat B., Nancy K., Nancy S., and Mary Jane F. Pat's husband Tom D. from class of 1956 at left.

Sylvia S. with the three Nancy's.

The guys sitting under a tree, l. to r. Fran's friend, Jim, Glenn R., Phil E., Diane's husband John T., Don F. husband of Nancy S., and Tom D., Pat's husband. Darlene H. in the foreground.

Enjoying the day are l. to r. Darlene, Donna wife of Glenn R., Diane B., Nancy L., Greely M., with Nancy S. in doorway.

Moe and Nancy's place has prairie grasses and wild flowers east of the house. Their 80 something neighbor still milks his cows and makes hay.

Photos from the mini-reunion

Here are some photos and captions contributed by Nancy S., Sylvia T. and Lynne F. of the reunion and breakfast. What a gorgeous setting for a reunion! I'll add more as they are sent.

Lynne writes that the lake is man-made, in that Moe bought a back hoe and dug the lake himself. He also has a couple of marshs and recounted, when he took the group on the tour, the types of ducks, geese and other wildlife that enjoy the fruits of his hard work, pointing out all the different types of grasses and wild plants that call Moe's Lake their home. On the lake, hanging on a tree, is a rope swing for when the "grands' come and go swimming. Can't you just hear grandkids screaming and squealing as they let go of the rope and plunged into that cold lake water. It was a warm, sunny day but not hot for July 4th weekend and our hosts offered us plenty of shade.


With back to camera is Marion D., Jean M. in pink, Mary Jane F. in blue and white, Fran K. in raspberry, Lynne F. in red and Nancy S. in bright blue. Nancy keeps the lovely photo albums of our events--all 52 years worth of them. Her albums are class treasures.

Phil and Kay rest on Moe and Nancy's porch while visiting with the other guests. Kay you'll recall is class of 1958 and she and Phil dated in high school and have been married happily all these years.

The Nancys catch up on what's happening now.

Dave S. with his catch of the day! Kind hearted Dave hurried away to release the fish back into Moe's lake.


Pat B. and Darrell M. chat on the patio of Moe and Nancy's country home. The view and the flowers were spectacular. Lynne F. in the background talking with her hands, nothing much changes there!


Ebba L. arrives at the picnic all smiles. Note: Moe's corn in the background


Marion D. and Donna B. (Glenn's wife, class of 1959) enjoy the moment.


Our hostess Nancy G. chats with Sara Y.


Darlene H. and Ebba L. look for a spot to sit and talk.

Glenn R. and Nancy S's husband Don.

Greely looking fit after his recent surgery.




Here are Nancy L. and Lynne F. and Moe K. at the annual fire department breakfast. The class sat together and were greeted by many others returning for the festivities. The fire station had four tables decked in black and red (our school colors) with assorted Mounder memorabila such as cups, pencils and even key chains at each table. "They took good care of us... we did not want for a thing and it was appreciated," writes Lynne.

Another great reunion reports Nancy S.

The class of 1957 met July 3, 2009, for its 52nd year reunion at the beautiful home of Moe and Nancy near Seward, IL. We started arriving at about 1:00 p.m. The committee helped Nancy with the finishing touches of tablecloths, lawn chairs and food preparation. The ledge around the inside of the garage worked out just perfect for a place for our food. Our hosts furnished the tea, coffee, lemonade and pop, and John and Marian furnished the roast pork.

The women classmates visited on the patio surrounded by beautiful flowers, and in a big circle under large tents out of the sun. The men were under a huge oak tree. Dave S. went fishing and came back with a 5 lb large mouth bass he caught on his third cast. He released it back into the lake. Moe said grace and we all ate together in a group. The food was wonderful and we were blessed with absolutely perfect weather.

Moe and Nancy have a beautiful view across the country to their lake with birds and I’m sure a lot of wild life. A baby rabbit or two were spotted. Moe took us on a tour of their beautiful home and showed us his collection of artwork and limited edition prints. He then took us on a caravan and we drove around his 4-acre lake where he has a duck refuge with duck blinds, deer blinds, boats, canoes, and a rope swing. Everyone enjoyed this trip through God’s country. For the next several hours all of us joined together for a fun time just talking and reminiscing. There were a lot of laughs and good conversation.

The 29 attending were Nancy L., Nancy S. and husband Don, Nancy and Moe, Darrell M., Glenn R. and wife Donna, Fran and friend, Diane B., Lynne F., Marian D. and husband John, Mary Jane & Dwayne, Pat B. and husband Tom, Sara Y. and husband Bill, Bob C., Jean M., Ebba L., Darlene H., Phil E. and wife Kay, Greeley M., Dave S. & Sylvia T. Everyone mingled and conversation was great. It was especially nice to see classmates, Diane, Fran, Greeley and Glenn, all of whom have had health issues recently and had surgery this year, but still came to visit with their classmates.

This get together could be described as possibly one of our best reunions. It was casual and relaxed. It may have been small in number but sometimes small groups are better. It was a very successful and fun day.

The next morning we all met again at the Mt. Morris Firemen’s breakfast. It was pouring rain, but I think that just added to the atmosphere and we all sat there several hours just talking and laughing together. It was just a great time. Every once in awhile someone from other classes would stop by to visit also. I am sure all will remember it well.

A perfect ending to a very successful get together for the Class of 57.