Musing on good things from 50 years ago

We’re pretty much locked into holding the reunion on the weekend of July 24-26 in Brookings. Working on nailing down some details for the weekend, but we have time to do that. I’ll let everyone know when I know.

I’m starting to hear back from many of you and it’s bringing back some great memories. Still wrapping my head around the fact that it’s been five decades since high school. Looking at everything we have today, it feels like 1976 was so very long ago. Yet I still have memories of that time.

As I write this, I’m listening to songs from that time, which you’ll probably agree was the best music ever. Whether it’s a long car trip or a workout to stave off old age, I listen to Bachman Turner, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Heart, Steve Miller or some Boston to get me in a good mood. It’s said your favorite music will be the songs you hear from ages 14-21 and I’ve found that’s true for me. Sorry, Taylor, your songs just ain’t working for me.

Everyone says that things were simpler back in their youth. But I think that’s a brain trick where we’ve put away most of the difficult memories and just retained the happy and fun stuff. Maybe that’s a good thing. I just know that while I can’t remember much of the early 2000s, my memories of the mid-70s remain pretty bright.

When I heard back from Shawna Grover (now Gavin), she replied her favorite memory was when we were in Mrs. Kindle’s first grade class at Kalmiopsis. That delighted me so much I found the class photo from then and smiled the rest of the day looking at our seven-year old faces.

I know when we get a chance to see each other again — in some cases for the first time in decades — it will take a bit to recognize each other. But for some (I’m talking to you, Shawna!) I’ll know who you are right away. And for a short moment, I’ll be back in Mrs. Kindle’s first grade class.

It’s so easy to romanticize the past and diminish some of the truly difficult things from back then. Still, as I recognize I’m closer to the end than the beginning, I’m ok with keeping some of those rose-colored memories. They’re worth holding on to, particularly in these days.

More memories will be created this July at the Class of ’76 Reunion. I’m looking forward to making some of those with all of you who can make it. Until then, I need a musical dose of the Pompatus of Love …

Feel free to post any comments or memories you have below. Or, drop me an email at [email protected].

Stay foxy, everyone!

— Butch Bernhardt