Smoke Signals and other news
May is quickly slipping away. It is a beautiful time of year. On this day in 1969, my classmates and I walked the aisle of the auditorium of Byhalia High School and received our diplomas thinking we had finally accomplished the goal we had had our eye on. But then what? Some of us went off to college, some to jobs and careers, some married and some combined two or more of these. I worked that first summer, got married in early August and started college that fall. I enjoyed college and the challenges it presented. I took a three -month temporary job that next summer and basically worked there for 40 years with a couple of short breaks.
The years have passed. Some classmates still live nearby and some moved far away. We miss those who have passed away. Some of us are in fairly good health and others are struggling with life. Some of our classmates have dementia, but remember well our school days. Reunions always bring up memories and often rekindle old friendships. Our class was one that was always close, and most of us still are until this day. We know we can reach out to anyone of them at any time and any help we need is provided. We have led lives as parents, teachers, Human Resource Directors, Secretaries, President of a Community College, Railroad employees, employees of insurance agencies, IRS workers, Social Workers, homemakers, store employees, Firemen, and so much more. Most have retired or work only part time. Some have raised families, outlived spouses and in some cases outlived children and grandchildren. We have been there for each other as much as we have been able to. We have seen many changes in our almost 75 years of life. Many have given untold hours as volunteers to improve the communities we have lived in. We know that our time in this world is coming to a close. Have we done enough? Have we accomplished God's plan for our lives? Have we prepared for eternity?
Memorial Day, which normally kicks off summer in the United States, is truly a day to honor those servicemen and women who died while in service to the United States Armed Forces. Without them, where would we be? I only personally know a few who died while in service. I do know many who were wounded both physically and emotionally. I never knew my uncle who was killed in WWII. I am told he was killed when he crawled onto the battlefield to rescue one of his men who was wounded. This was a true sacrifice, and he was grieved by his parents, his siblings, and his young wife.
I once drove one of his siblings (my aunt) to Spartanburg, SC, to the very house where she said goodbye to him before he left to go overseas. I was important to her. We did not have GPS at the time and finding the house was interesting. I actually stopped and asked some gentlemen sitting out in front of a store where the rest of the street was as it just seemed to stop. They explained the new route and we found it quickly. We sat in the van in front of the house while she reminisced.
I would love to report your news. Call or text me at 901 246-8843, message me on Facebook at Clair Wagg, or email me at jchwagg@gmail.com.