Reflecting on life’s continuing journey

I received word that my Lawrence High School Class of 1961 50th reunion will be in the fall. I’ve been reflecting about classmates and earlier times, but I don’t dwell on “the good old days.” I view life as a journey of new experiences while valuing older experiences and longtime friends.

I’ve attended my 20th, 30th and 40th high school reunions. The 20th, still reflected the class cliques that existed in school. By the time the 30th reunion came, we had matured to allow for broader interaction. Inspired by that reunion, I collaborated with classmate and lyricist Carole Blake on a musical that personifies reunions. The 40th came on the heels of Sept. 11, and was more somber than most; we paid tribute to those lost on that day and to classmates who died.

Memories and emotions are surfacing again as I focus on this fall’s reunion. I find myself reevaluating my journey in relation to time passed and my connection to the Five Towns. When traveling through the U.S. and overseas, I’ve been drawn to places that have a small town atmosphere and are near water: Manhattan, on its Upper West Side; Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland; Kirkland, just out outside Seattle and Beverly Hills and Arbor Lakes, two communities in Florida.

At first I didn’t realize why I felt so comfortable in those places; eventually, I understood it was because they felt like my hometown, The Five Towns, which has always felt like one continuous town. Everyone knew each other; I felt safe, and I had a sense of community. I was overprotected from the outside world; but that’s how it was then. Summers on Atlantic Beach surrounded by sand, water and familiar people are some of my favorite memories. No matter where I go, I’m reminded that there have been many people who have been my mentors when I was young. They not only inspired me to become involved in the performing arts, especially playwriting, but also emphasized caring for my family and friends, exercise and good nutrition. Over the decades, all of their voices have had their say inside my head. The Five Towns infused me with a sense of who I am. Some of my classmates chose to stay in the Five Towns and others have lived elsewhere. They’ve pursued careers in a variety of professions. Many have found success and fulfilled dreams, some were late bloomers, and others followed unique paths and are still searching.

Either way, we’re still growing and becoming the best we can be. Whether we have fond or unpleasant memories, one thing remains constant: we can never forget it. Thomas Wolfe wrote that “you can’t go home again;” nothing ever remains the same. The Five Towns is no exception. It too has changed in the 50 years since my classmates were in high school.. More classmates and their loved ones have died; many more are retiring; and some, like me, are busier than ever with careers. We may not be able to go home again; but neither time nor place can steal our memories. When we gather for our 50th reunion, it will be as if our lives stand still for a moment in time No matter where the rest of our journey takes us, there’s one underlying them for most of us: “You can take us out of the Five Towns, but you never take the Five Towns out of who we are; once a Lawrencian, always a Lawrencian.