Monsignor Kelly High School

Class of 1965 Reunion

"Stories and Tales"

FALSE START: Jan and Jerry along with Grace and Gerry stepped to the table and began organizing the class 40th reunion for Fall 2005. All was organized, travel plans being made and the guest list was growing....then an RSVP from "Hurricane RITA" who was a stranger to the class but left a mark on the profile of the Texas and Louisiana coast.

Hundreds of email's flew across the USA like leaves in a storm. Mail from Tuscon, Salt Lake City, Baton Rouge, CrossRoads, High Island and beyond began to surface. Some sad, some funny and some explaining the virtues and attitudes surrounding "biking". Finally, the new date was set and plans became final.

THE EVENT: Two major events were planned. Friday night was a pizza and salad feast with plenty of snacks and beverages on hand to spark the conversation which was bountiful. I would guess that there were 50 or more there enjoying the fine Fall evening and renewing old lies and tales from long ago. The game of "who is getting out of that car" became the greeting activity of the evening as guests arrives until late into the night. I must say that the evening gave me a deep feeling of loss and sadness that I had not made time to attend previous reunions of our classmates. As time passed those feelings were replaced with a longing to renew our promise to stay in touch for the rest of our lives.

Saturday came early and some fished, some played golf and some hit local spots for shopping, breakfast and/or lunch. We all gathered at Stingree Marina for a great seafood buffet and a fine evening of photos, chatting and renewing friendships. It was a great time to talk about all of you who did not attend...am I glad I was there. The evening was full of laughter, camera flashing and food. Some danced, some cried and all left in time with a feeling of closeness that may have slipped away over the years. My wife Shari commented at how unique it was that after 40 years this many people could gather and instantly be thrust back into their youth. It was a memorable evening.

One of our classmates, Tim, has set up a Yahoo Group page for us to stay in touch...so far it is working like a champ. New items are posted, lots of email flying around the nation along with thoughts and photos to share. This collection is an attempt to share some of these memories with those outside our little class circle.