ADSS 1984 Class Reunion = GREAT SUCCESS

Goodnight James....

2011-09-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

26 year high school reunion July 2010

For those who may have missed this information via the newspaper, FaceBook or friends, I thought I would post a last Good Bye To James Mitchell from the Class of '84 at ADSS in Port Alberni.

When the reunion discussion resurfaced again in 2009 and then 2010, James told me that he wanted the reunion to happen as he was suffering from cancer and wanted to have a last chance to be a part of it. James was integral to the event. He worked hard at making it happen and although I can say, I did not know him in highschool I enjoyed getting to meet him via the reunion. I enjoyed watching on my FaceBook friends updates about his family, his travels in his little sports car or off on his motorbike, it seemed he was fitting in all he could.

To James family, I wish you my deepest condolences and this final memorial on the ADSS Grad '84 blog wall. I have transferred comments from FaceBook to the blog since not everyone uses FaceBook and I have posted his beautiful obituary - truly what I read tells me that Port Alberni has lost an important man. ... Sarah (Giesbrecht) Sherman

Obituary for James Mitchell

James Gordon Mitchell

December 28, 1966 - July 8, 2011

James Gordon Mitchell
December 28, 1966 ~ July 8, 2011
After a courageous battle with cancer, James passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife and two daughters. James was born and raised in Port Alberni and was a long time active member of his community.
Survived by his wife of 25 years, Bonnie Mitchell, daughter Kara (Mike) grandson Cohen, daughter Melissa (Matthew), father Jack Mitchell, mother Darlene Mitchell (Wilbert), sister Katherine (Alan), brother Kevin (Lisa), in-laws Ernie & Margaret Bigelow, Gail (Tony), Sheryl (Rob), numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
James will be forever remembered for his dedication and devotion to his family and friends, his quick wit and sense of humour will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2011, 1:00pm at Echo Center 4255 Wallace St. Port Alberni, BC V9Y 3Y6.
If so desired, donations may be made to the Ty Watson House 2649 2nd Ave, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1Z8

FaceBook Comments:

Lori Blight Behnke

So sad to see that our fellow grad James Mitchell has just passed away. Thank you James for all the work you put in to make our Grad reunion last year such a success. My condolences go to your family, you will be greatly missed.

Charlene MacDonald Johnson yes he will be missed

Sarah Sherman James was someone who explicitly asked that the reunion be held last year. SO thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and attend. I didn't know James well but I am glad that his wish for that came true and send my condolences to his loved ones.

Wawmeesh George Hamilton I've said it before: it was so much a chance for everyone to say hello again. It as a chance to bid a quiet goodbye. I don't think anyone enjoyed it as much as he did.

Wayne Lam I was back in Port in March and heard about James wasn't feeling well. Farewell James life can be so short. Rip.

Lisa Krause Schut I just found these condolences on here, I'll send them along to his wife, Bonnie. I'm sure she'll appreciate them. We were close to James and I just wanted to add that he fought a courageous fight. He lived life to the fullest in his last few years. He was an active member in Kinsmen Canada, Gyro Club and volunteered in many events like summer games and such. We walked the Relay for Life this past June and are already registered for next year under the name Friends, Love and Hope. James spent his last hours in Ty Watson house with his family next to him. If you ever have the need to donate please keep in mind Ty Watson house or Friends Love and Hope. He really enjoyed the last Grad reunion and if you knew James you knew he enjoyed any event that involved friends, a good drink, laughter and dancing. Thanks to our wacky 26th year reunion we all added to his final hurrah!

Good night James... From the class of '84

History....

2010-08-15T07:39:00.000-07:00

It is almost one month after the 26th year reunion. I have watched connections increase and friendships rekindle via Facebook and emails. It is so encouraging to see people form new relationships and reunite after so many years apart. It gives me hope for the future. It shows me that although we may have not known each other well in high school or we drifted apart, that we can reach back into our childhood and formative years and pull out memories that will last a life time.

I have no doubt that many of the grads who attended the reunion have made plans to see old friends again. Others realized whether they had an amazing high school history or hated every minute of it, those experiences helped us become who we are now. Many of us are parenting now and we can pass our knowledge on to our children. Help them through the horror of being a teenager! The good and the bad!

Personally, I hated high school! Every minute of it from getting on the bus, to walking down the hallways, to speaking in class... However, I have so many friends that have stood beside me for so many years and have met 'new' friends as a result of this reunion... I can't say that I hated it anymore. I am grateful for those moments and memories... You see, since I hated high school SO much... I forgot the good parts. I forgot the times and the people that made it worth while, so THANK YOU for that!

As I finish this post, I wish you all the best, please call me for the next reunion and hopefully THAT one will be my first to attend! Thank you to everyone who attended, to the hotel for making it a success, to the committee who followed through and now.... HAVE A GREAT REMAINDER OF THE SUMMER OF 2010!

REMINDER

2010-07-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Please do not mail any registrations to Sarah ... she has moved. Please contact Lori Blight Behnke or James Mitchell directly. If you need details please email me at sarahsherman2009@gmail.com.... Thank you!

Remember it is just over a week to the reunion! Contact ASAP!

Registration Deadline HAS BEEN Extended!

2010-06-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer Solstice everyone! It is the first day of summer! Our little elementary school children have one week of school left, high school is OUT, exams are almost over and those of you with GRADS have cried, reflected and watched your grads walk the path we did 26 years ago! No doubt you are hoping they have the wonderful experiences you have had and avoid the regrettable ones! (I am sure you are also wondering when you ever got to be OLD!)

Since life has been whipping along, amidst parenting, school commitments, volunteering in your community and of course those jobs we all have to go to... You may have neglected to send in your GRAD REUNION REGISTRATIONS!

The exciting news is IT IS NOT TOO LATE! You can still get it in! It has been an interesting exercise in memory recollection and flashbacks to preview the names on the grad group and event lists as well as a few a ha and surprise moments. I spent hours going through the old annuals and Facebook groups and was delighted to recover moments in time that would otherwise have been lost forever.

I wish I could be there with you to enjoy an evening of food, music, dancing, drinks and fun. The hours to remember when and who.... Please have a great time and if you do not have your registrations in yet you now have until the first week of July.

I would like to gratefully thank the grad committee for taking on this project: Lori Blight Behnke, Nancy Nielsen Bachmeier, Charlene MacDonald Johnson, Deanna Milliken Sutherland and the boys in the group, James Mitchell and George Wawmeesh Hamilton.

Have a great night on July 17th everyone! I am now signing off from the event and wish you all well!

In happiness and lifetime experiences....
Sarah Giesbrecht (Bethell) Sherman
(PS: It is OK if you don't remember me! I was rather quiet and shy... life changed me!)

MISSING IN ACTION!!!! HELP!!!!

2010-06-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick update! We have found so many of our HUGE grad class! However, as per Lori's note below we are still missing quite a few names!!! We need YOUR help! Forward this to your friends, family and anyone who might be able to help us locate these people!

The reunion planning started in March 2010 and due to us all being busy people, working, families, etc.... we still have not located the group listed below!

The reunion is on July 17th, we asked for registrations to come in by June 18th (one more week!) If there is anything holding up your registration please let us know. If you want to come but have not been able to get it in, PLEASE contact the author of this blog, c'est moi! Or one of the committee members listed on the Facebook site 1984 ADSS Reunion. THANKS!

Committee Members: Lori (Blight) Behnke, Charlene (MacDonald) Johnson, Nancy (Nielsen) Bachmeier, Deanna (Milliken) Sutherland, George Wawmeesh Hamilton and James Mitchell.

Note from Lori:

I'm sure you all expected this, so here goes. We need help in finding these Grads. Please take a look and notify anyone you know. Then please send me (Lori Blight Behnke) a quick msg so we can stop searching!

Thanks for the co-operative effort.

Craig Anderson, Cindy Bakken, Mike Balzer, Luke Barney, Stephen Bhala, Rubinder Bhatti, Corrinne Bonneteau, Franco Bressan, Brian Brooks, Joseph Budai, Susan Burritt, Brent Cairney, Cindy Daily, Lisa Danesin, Clara Davis, Andy Denboer, Ray Dennison, Davinder Dhak, Neelan Dhak, Paul Freschette, Allan Freeman, Tanis (Freeman) Thomas?, Luke George, Dino Girotto, Sheila Grant, Melanie Grigoletto, Tracy Grubisch, Dennis Hamel, Rich Harsch, Donna Harsch, Bruce Henningson, Helen Hertel, Lacy Hodgson, Lucinda Jemson, Tim Johnson (1), Tim Johnson (2), Tracey Johnson, David Johnston, Dave Kalugin, Sheri Kreklau, Carolyn Kretai, Curt Kutschera, Carolyn Lauder, Bill Leckie, May Lee, Wendy Leithead, Anne Mack, Byron Mah, Miro Marocchi, Mary-Ann McGrath, Deanna McRae, Carry Nelson, Wayne Nicholson, Cheryl Noble, Amar Parmar, Nishi Parmar, Nina Parmar, Tokyne Peresluka, John Peterson, Herb Petschauer, May Quek, Carrey Robins, Dennis Rodinsky, Jamie Ross, Noella Ryper, Mike Shum, Lorraine Smith, Jim Sustersich, Tim Taylor, Gulbara Thiara, Tyler Thompson, Steve Tidy, Henry Van Dyk, Jacquie Van Hoepen, Mike Zundorf, Bill Cannon, Ashley Fraser, Jas Jhali, Maureen Mason, Joginder Rattan, Troy Wright, Bill Campbell, Verena Cootes, Betsy Mack

Deadline is approaching so work fast folks!

THANK YOU!

Changes to the Reunion Registration

2010-06-07T13:46:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon everyone! The committee met again yesterday - great work everyone! A few adjustments HAVE been made to the registration form... If you have ALREADY sent in your forms, don't worry you are set! (You may want to view the changes though) If you have NOT sent in your form yet with payment the deadline has been extended to JUNE 18th please send them in!

The committee has opted to go from a sit down dinner to a stand up appetizer MEAL it was felt this would allow for the maximum mingling opportunities! Forms will now be sent to Lori (note the bottom of the registration) If any come to me in the next few days then I will forward them to the committee!

Have a great day!

REVISED REGISTRATION FORMS

Memory Wall and Life Achievements

2010-05-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

If you want to share information about yourself at the reunion OR if you have information to share about a classmate that has passed on, please complete the attached form! You can either bring it to the reunion OR mail it in! Thanks for helping out... Half the fun is learning about people again!

Memory Wall Information Sheet

It's the 7 week countdown....

2010-05-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

26 Years later! Have we changed? Styles certainly have! I have attached some grad day photos of our esteemed alumni... Any of you planning to wear the same outfits? Hmmm? It is overwhelming to think that some of the 'kids' in these photos have watched their own children graduate, get married, have babies... We have come a long way baby!

The registrations are coming in... thank you! The committee meets in a week and we will go over everything. I am also attaching a form for anyone who would like to have a bio posted to tell us about you... What have you been up to? What do you still want to do? What is your biggest achievement? What would you have done differently? You may also add a photo and we will post it on the alumni wall!

We will also be dedicating a memory wall to those who have gone before us. Many of our classmates have had short lives and we will take a moment to remember them. Whether we knew them well or not, we all have memories and we will have a moment of silence. Thank you! Sadly, we do have a list of grads and classmates who have passed on, but if you know of someone we may have missed please send an email to the committee so we can include them in the memory wall. Thank you!

Now! Get back to the house cleaning, bank reconciliations, lawn mowing, snow blowing if you are up north! And... get that Sunday work done! Today we clean for tomorrow we work! Have a great day everyone!

I found my yearbook! So that's who you are!

2010-05-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Now that I am seriously emptying out my house and packing I FOUND MY GRADE 12 YEARBOOK! Yay! How fun was that to look at! It is funny because some of you look so similar to how you looked in high school, barely aged! Others look great, but I never would have recognized you as you look so different. One thing I notice is.... We all look great! Aged well! Do you think it was that good mill air we sucked in for so many years? Wouldn't that be funny! I do mean it though, I really do thing that overall we have aged well, look great and seem to be at great points in our lives.

I spent about 3 hours poring through my old book. Guess what? Even though I didn't remember you, you signed my yearbook! You said nice things, so THANKS! Did I completely forget that I had wanted to go to college in the USA? Obviously I had talked about it a fair amount as many of you said you would write. How could I have completely forgotten that? Here is the thing... apparently you have to get over 747 on your SAT's! Ya! I guess I thought I only needed a score the size of the plane.

Tracey C., did I skip sewing class? Hmmm I thought I only used to skip the academic classes. Josie C. and I had quite the technique on skipping and the teacher did not mess with J! Judi L. was so sweet to ask if I remembered her from Sproat School and I want to thank Judi for editing that year book! Great job! I COMPLETELY forgot about the egg babies in Family Studies! I guess technology has modernized a bit since students now take home a "real" robot baby. Much nicer than the stinky eggs... like the one Denise V. broke! YUCK!~

Lori D. you are welcome for helping you on the Family Studies tests and Gio for helping you in Lit and Parvine I forgot about the Housing and Interior Design class award... I can honestly say I have not used MANY of those skills at all :) My first apartment was lovely and would have been better had I pulled out those notes.

To Jacquie V. funny you remember the good and bad times and we thought they would be with use forever, crazy how I forgot it all until I read the yearbook. I am so glad we had yearbooks. Even though I didn't have a million signatures, I had those that counted. Kids I had gone to school with from elementary through high school, friends I had met in junior high and have to this day, acquaintances from school that are becoming important now. What a trip!

Well, so much more to say! However I will sign off knowing that you can check this out and remember your own experiences... See you all at the 30th?

I guess my memory is NOT THAT GOOD since I wrote this 3-4 weeks ago and forgot to publish! Yes I AM self-absorbed and a little narcissistic but hell, who isn't? Ciao all!

.... the memories....

2010-05-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here I am... it is Wednesday morning and I have just spent the last hour communicating with the new school my girls will go to this September in New Brunswick. Think about it... my daughter will start grade 10 this fall. I started grade 11 in 1982 at Alberni District Secondary School. I had high hopes for that year. I was glad to leave A.W. Neill after spending 3 years hating almost every day of school. Not wanting to face those dreaded hallways or crammed in locker or beat the crowds to class and try to sit anonymously at the back of the room. I hoped that ADSS had new hope for me. So it surprised me that high school was even bigger and a bit scarier! I hated walking down the gauntlet to get past the auditorium to the hallway. I think I knew every mark on that floor! So grateful for home ec and business ed, those helped me graduate! :) It was amazing to realize later in life I was not stupid, just didn't care about what high school taught me! What a relief!

High school is so long ago. In some ways it would be SO COOL to go back knowing what I know now. Realizing that I made myself unhappy and my shrinking and hiding was of my own volition. How do we help our kids through those times now? If you were popular and they aren't how do you walk them through that transition? Do you relive the glory days and tell them how great high school was or do you realize that maybe it was harder for other people than you thought?

If you were shy and awkward or invisible, how do you help your child gain that confidence that they need to open up and enjoy these years they will never get back? How do you get them to understand that those looks, comments and innuendos won't really follow you forever?

How do you encourage your son or daughter to be safe? Strong? Party and have fun but don't.... get in trouble, don't get into dangerous situations, don't do what you did? OR encourage them to do some of what you didn't do? What a dilemma!

My parents were strict and religious. I figured it was pretty much a mortal sin to have fun, party do anything outside the basic guidelines. I had to wear my sweaters buttoned up to the second button... hmmmm... with my cleavage, did not make for the most interesting look! If I had a bit more confidence and some swagger as they say, I bet grade 11 and 12 would have been a blast! (Of course I probably would have been kicked out of the house if I unbuttoned any lower or wore shorter skirts or party'd later than 10 on a Saturday night!

Would I change it? Absolutely! Do I understand why my parents worried? Absolutely! Now, my dilemma is... how do I raise my girls? Yes, they see us drink and party safely (usually!) socially, always! Do I let them drink and help them do it safely? Do I say no, you need to observe safe social practices but you can't do it until you are of legal age? Do I admit I ever smoked pot? Or tried a variety of substances that are not available over the counter? hmmmmm... Well, I go for the honesty point.

I have told my daughter (quite recently) as required in learning and conversation... yes, I am not a complete saint. Yes, I made a million and one mistakes... Yes I have been the unsafe driver... NOT NOW THOUGH... yes, I did smoke the occasional product that did not come from the grocery store... NOT NOW THOUGH... yes... I was in unsafe situations and have lost my head and have paid for those mistakes.... Will this help her? I sure hope so. Will she realize that when I say no, or ask about who she is with, where they are going, how will they get there, who is driving, when to call for help... etc... etc... etc... and when I get that "I know MOM!" comment... will she truly understand where the advice comes from? Sometimes. Sometimes... she won't but hopefully she will remember that her mom loves her, cares and would do anything for her.

No, I don't want her to drink. No, I don't want her to do drugs. No, I don't want her in a dangerous situation... Yes, I will always come pick you up or send a cab. Yes, I will always help you and take you to safety. Yes, I will get mad at you the next day, but only because I was terrified I would lose you.

No, I didn't go crazy in high school. In fact, I had my first date about 2 months before school ended. No, I didn't stand out in the crowd. Yes, I did go crazy later because I did not work up to those social situations, didn't know how to handle myself at a party and didn't have any dating history to fall back on. So, when the first guy told me he loved me, he had me. Oh well, that is OK. Without that guy I wouldn't have these beautiful girls that I now worry about!

I now get why some parents are so strict. Kids, it isn't because your parents don't trust you. It isn't because they think you are stupid. Why are they strict? They don't want you to make the mistakes they made. They don't want you hurt, sad or unsafe. We just think about what we did and don't want you to go through that.

On the other hand, wow weren't some of those parties great? Didn't we have a good time and some "freedom"? We don't want them to lose that. It is so sad the world has changed... the ways to make kids miserable have become so easy with Facebook, MSN, texting, Twitter and so many ways you can torment a kid... It used to be quieter although still debilitating. How many crazy people have wrecked pot? Laced it with crap that you can't even feel safe about it if you wanted to? I guess it is like organic food, if you don't know how it was grown, maybe you shouldn't touch it?

I read on Facebook how some woman is approaching children in the town I grew up in. How she is asking them to come with her. Why? Is she just mental? Evil? Stupid? Either way I reflect on how I used to run about all day and feel safe. Went to the river after breakfast and came home before it was dark. I don't let my daughter (the younger one, I am not THAT crazy!) out of my sight at the playground or water park. What are our kids learning? The innocence is so lost. It is so sad......

Well, I tend to go on and get a thought in my head. My final words for the day are... I bought my 25 acre piece of heaven and tranquility in New Brunswick and unfortunately the house closing was in mid April not mid July and we have to move sooner than expected. I had hoped to leave right after the reunion. However, it appears that although our mortgage is low, we have to pay mortgage, increased taxes and increased insurance until we occupy the property. We also plan to make a 10 day to 2 week trip across the country to see the amazing country we live in. After all of that Olympic pride, we have to see it to appreciate it right?

So, to summarize, I will not be at the reunion. I will continue to work on it, help and be a part of it in every other way, except attending. I am hoping that a few people can jump in for the final moments to help the committee set up on the day. There should not be too much more to do. I am her through June 29th and then leave. I can complete the registrations and work with the hotel. I am so sad to miss this... it would have been my first reunion and I think I was finally emotionally mature enough to handle it ;)

It has been a blast learning about people and their lives and connecting on Facebook. Especially since most of you are not people I ever knew in high school. I have had to rely on people like Nancy and Charlene to blast my memory of... hmmm... did I know that person? No offense, just my life and living and experiences and old age, have left my long term memory a bit weak!

I wish you all happiness, health and a wonderful future. Think about your kids and those they interact with... try to remember your past and maybe the one time you should have reached out to someone and didn't. Help this next group of amazing people take on the world in the best way possible!

Ciao!

Six weeks left to submit your registration....

2010-05-03T16:53:00.000-07:00

Today is May 3rd. Every day I think, have to email people, have to send out those registrations... do I? Nope! However, today I did it! Sadly I realize we are still missing names/contacts for so many people. I will try in the next day or two to post the names of those we have not contacted. If you can, please give us their information OR you can just pass this on to them!

As I type this I am sitting here listening to my 8 year old watch Spongebob... Please! Did we ever have anything so crazy to watch? OK well there were definitely some crazy shows! My faves included Gilligan's Island, The Monkees and of course, you guessed it, The Brady Bunch! I guess now when I watch Lizzie McGuire or Miley Cyrus they aren't any more lame than what I liked to watch.

It has been fun being a part of this group. On Facebook watching (yes I am a voyeur!) and seeing people reconnect... friends from a life time ago... people that you didn't really know back then but have connected with now. I suspect this reunion will be a lot of fun and a great experience! I hope that many of you can make it.

Today I emailed out the registrations to the remaining emails I have, as well as posting it on Facebook and advising people if they need a copy mailed to them that I can help out with that! I am listening to the rain, watching the wind and remembering some of those crazy walks I used to have to school! Now my daughter would have to stay home sick if she got wet, hair messed up or blotted make up ... Well on that note, time to go pick up my soggy husband!

Take care all and please do spread the word.

The first registration.... CONGRATS! Cheryl Grant!

2010-03-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

Congrats to Cheryl Grant (Schimke) for being the first to return her registration and payment! Prizes in order! Let's say the 1st, 25th and 75th registrations get a prize! :) Thanks Cheryl!

I will be working this weekend on sending out personal emails to people to send the registration. Remember if you lose it or delete the email, the registration is on the blog.

Now get those registrations in! Cheryl wins a prize for being first! Who will get the 25th prize? Or the 75th prize?

Have a great day all!

The East Coast...

2010-03-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am on the East Coast of Canada. I think the East Coaster's and the West Coaster's must be the LUCKIEST Canadians in this country! Stunning! Breath taking! Beautiful! The world that looks like it was carved by a giant hand...

What else do they have on the East Coast? NICE People! Yes, they are JUST like us! Friendly, nice, helpful! (I do have to say our food fare is better though!) I have fallen in love with the lake country of New Brunswick. Looking at an amazing 25 acre piece of property, lake country, adorable old family home - 1930's (so young for around here!) 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, as well as all of the requirements that we had on our list.

Apparently moose and bear wander the forest and we can watch them from the back deck. My good husband assures me that they are not grizzlies so we are safe! We will have a big garden, chickens for meat and eggs, maybe even start hunting? Won't ever have to leave the property to do it! Wood stove? You bet! $200 for a cord of wood? No way! We have a forest for our selves!

Where does this lead me? Well, the school houses 250 kids from K-12. They take the same bus and attend the same school... last year's graduation class? 12 kids! This year? 24! WOW! Based on the 360+ that we had, this is a huge switch and lifestyle change! The community raises the child. No getting away with anything here. Drugs? Never heard of them! Weed? Well, yes maybe that ;)

However, why did we fall in love with this country? Besides the price! Peace, tranquility, slower life style, different morals and expectations, IT also looks like how I remember Sproat Lake as a kid! The drive? Not really so far. It is 40 minutes to Woodstock and 50 to Fredericton. Not so different than my friends that lived out at the lake and took the bus ride to school...

Will we do it? Hmmm that is the question! I guess you have to attend the reunion to find out! Don't forget, to fill in your registration and send it in! Have a great day! I am off to Nova Scotia!

Reunion Registration

2010-03-13T16:05:00.001-08:00

Reunion Registration
Please complete IN FULL and send in your payment to register for the reunion.
There are a few options:

ADSS tour 11am July 17, 2010 - FREE
Reunion dinner/appies - see registration for details - $50 per person 5:30 pm to 1:30 am
Reunion after dinner - $25 per person - arrive AFTER 8pm

Questions? Blog 'em!

126 days to go...

2010-03-13T13:26:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are... It is really hard to believe that it has been 26 years since we all graduated from high school... or nearly graduated for some... In any event, some of the students of the year 1984 felt it was time to get together again... reunite, reminisce, refresh and review... our lives, our past, our hopes, our dreams... what WAS important then? Or what seemed so important?

I have never been to a reunion... for a variety of reasons... the first time, 10 years after high school, I wanted to go, however, I was 28 years old, pregnant with my first child and had a dilemma; should I attend my 10 year reunion, see people that may or may not have been important to me in high school and growing up? OR go to a good friends wedding, someone I would be friends with for the rest of my life? Obviously I did not choose the reunion... funny thing though, I never see that friend anymore either!

The 20th reunion came at a time of great change in my life. I had left my government job of 17 years... (left aka accepted a severance package after Black Thursday October 2003!) I had started a new business, Event Planning of all things... I had volunteered to help out with the reunion, being right down my alley and all, however, life had a few more curve balls for me and I didn't make it or help. I was in the midst of ending an 18 year relationship/marriage with the father of my children and was booked with a wedding to prepare for the weekend of the reunion.

I was disappointed, I wanted to go, but was not really in the right head space at the time to face people I hadn't seen or talked to for 20 years. I mean, I had just left a good job, a bad marriage and I was a single struggling mom of two... not much to brag about, eh?

Now here we are! 26 years later. Clearly a reunion had provoked interest, thanks to Marilyn Wong getting things started! (Yes I am only using maiden names for awhile, helps with the old memory process!) So THANK you Marilyn for starting a year of discussion. I wanted to help but was really pretty overwhelmed last year and didn't have a great deal of time.

So 26 years! We are doing it! The irony here is.... I am once again unemployed, about to move and in a "new" (5yr) relationship/marriage. Wow! Not much has changed since the 20th! Wait! It has! At the 20th I still harboured an internal struggle about who I should be and why. A conflict with Sarah about needing to be able to stand amongst the peers of my youth and say "Look what I did!" - "See I am not that invisible shy girl anymore!"

Nope! Doesn't matter! Guess what? That is not what life is about! Life is about love, happiness, pain, anger, sadness, trauma, loss, birth, renewal and so much more! I AM SO EXCITED about this reunion! I have touched base again with so many people that I had forgotten.. and when I say forgotten, I don't mean "OH! I haven't thought about you in years" I mean, wow, complete memory loss! The good thing is when you forget everything? There are - no expectations! It is all good! We are all amazing people - givers, survivors, parents, grandparents, pillars of the community, leaders, trail blazers and unique in our own way!

I had to laugh last weekend when a member of the committee, (who shall remain nameless :) said "A group of wall flowers was planning the reunion". Laughter, true, comfortable, silly, laughter surrounded the table. We now know... it is not about popularity, social status, money, or anything else that made us stand out... it is ME, YOU ... every person who walked those halls, every person who unknowingly influenced someone's life, those who stood tall and proud, those who were quiet and meek, those who were brilliant, those who's brilliance lay somewhere other than standard academics, those who gave and those who took... we are no longer those people. We are all adults who now watch our own children walk through the angst of childhood... who struggle with the passion of teens, who become parents - when we still don't feel mature enough to be parents... (let alone grandparents!) Don't know about you, but I AM NOT 43! I am permanently 30 in my head and thoughts - yup, I think I am cool, even if my teen helps tell me I am not!

Thank you all, for the way you shaped my life. I was a quiet, simple (not as in stupid :) girl, who thought that fitting in meant more than being an individual. I realize now that those who I thought had it all, had their own drama's, problem's, troubles.... We all learned, laughed and cried.... Hallowed be the halls of ADSS! I never thought I would walk them again, but I look forward to the one last tour of the hallways, on Saturday, July 17 at 11am... I think I will bring my kids with me... let them see where I spent so much time (Or little if you count skipping out of class!)

Please join us for memories, laughter, tears? Let's remember the good, the challenges and life lessons who made us who we are. Let's remember the teachers - those we wanted to be like and those we wanted to change. Let's remember those of the class 0f '84 who have passed on before us and celebrate those of us who are there.

Please share this blog with others. Not everyone is on Facebook and we are working hard as a committee to contact the class. If you can help or know of someone who is hard to find, tell us. Feel free to send me an email and/or post on the blog.

Have a great weekend! I will!