Every four months, we come equipped with walkers, canes, hearing aids and curiosity. We sport new knees, hips and, in a couple of cases, new hearts. Our goal? To laugh, catch up, swap stories and share photos of our grandkids.
We are a hardy and undaunted rabble, dedicated to ensuring the best reunion ever for the graduating class of Queen Elizabeth High School 1974, and we’ve hung out quarterly for the past couple of years.
Tracking down and contacting people was the biggest job. We lost quite a few … many too soon. Full credit for her tenacity, patience and humour (she’ll hate this) goes to S.P. and her team.
The reunion organizing committee has offered lots of opportunities to mix and mingle, with a strong focus on activity for the three-day event. A best ball golf tournament. A walking tour of downtown Calgary, to reacquaint ourselves with where we grew up. A cycling tour, for those more athletic, and a picnic with activities planned for those of us more used to a slower mode.
A survey was circulated to provide information for the reunion, with an opportunity to submit suggestions. Overwhelmingly, respondents wanted stuff to do. It seems we have all learned the valuable benefits of exercise! There is also to be a commemorative yearbook. Queen Elizabeth’74 alumni submitted bios, photos and memories. Some of those old pics are hilarious! Especially the clothes and hair!
When we first started getting together to just socialize, there was some trepidation. High school was not for the weak of heart. You remember: the cliques, the insecurity, the pressure to fit in, what program to take, what people to be seen with and, of course, what to wear!
For some, it was a great experience; for others, not so much. How much of all that carried into adulthood? The one thing we had in common: we all went through it together.
What have we discovered so far? None of it seems to matter anymore. At our age, we are what we are. We’ve all failed. We’ve all achieved. We’ve all experienced heartache. Most of us have had kids. We’re familiar with ageism, the exorbitant high cost of living, health issues. We all went through COVID.
Some of us have travelled extensively. Some have experienced homelessness and food insecurity. Some of us have cottages in the summer, or time-shares in the winter. We have backyard barbecues for our families and Christmas at our house. Most of us have significantly downsized.
We’ve learned some things, like stuff doesn’t matter. Neither do opinions or others’ expectations. We’ve learned to be content with what we have, what we do, and that everyone needs some help now and then. We seem to be hopeful, for the most part. That everything, usually, seems to find a way to work itself out. We seem to be OK.
The biggest question about our 50th High School Reunion? What to wear!
