The Meaning of Connecting
July 30, 2018: It’s been a whirlwind week where I just returned from my high school’s 50th Class Reunion. Millville High School Class of 1968 reunion had over 180 people in attendance. The most ever for a reunion. And while in town, I stopped see friends in South Jersey and then headed up to Toronto, Canada.
Although the reunion emphasis was on the high school years, about 12 of us go back to the first grade. The twelve of us were the rebels of St. Mary Magdalen and we demonstrated that weekend that we’re still rebels. The sad part of the weekend reunion was the tribute to those classmates we have lost over the 50 years. Although I had seen the list of names prior to attending, it was still very sad to see the tribute. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
The weekend reunion included a Meet and Greet Friday night at BoJo’s in downtown Millville with our classmates and invited guests from other classes – many of whom we knew while in school. I got to see neighbors Bob and Gail Abbott, and many spouses of my classmates that I hadn’t met before. I lost my voice trying to talk over the blaring music, however, I was part of the group that was last to leave. None of us could believe it’s been 50 years since we graduated, since it really does seem like yesterday.
Saturday night was the big dinner party at The Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course in East Vineland. It gave us a chance to dress up, eat, drink, dance and be merry throughout the evening. I got to dance with my classmate Terry Taylor who kept us all in stitches, especially when he said to me on the dance floor “Gee Rosemary, I’m doing pretty good with 2 new knees and 4 stents.” We laughed so hard we couldn’t control ourselves, since some said they feel their age and most of us didn’t feel it or look it.
Sunday, all of us that went to St. Mary Magdalen Grade School went to mass in honor of those classmates that have departed. As usual, I got a laughing fit in church and was shushed by some unknow woman that I swear was a nun in her previous life. I’m sure you can guess what I said under my breath given the St. Mary’s Rebel that I was growing up. After mass and photos, we all headed off to Sunday Brunch at Pat Melfi’s gorgeous home for our final time together.
As the reunion wound down Sunday afternoon, I stopped to see classmate MaryAnne Klein in Dorchester and made a quick stop at the newly restored East Point Lighthouse. The views over the bay were breath taking from the top of the lighthouse. And I got to meet their resident kitty named Lantern.
Monday, I was elated to see my friend Michelle Myers in Collingwood for lunch at the Il Fiore Restaurant. We had a chance to catch up on our busy lives with her trips to Isreal and my travels to Paris. Then I whisked myself off to the airport for my next trek to Toronto, Canada, where my reunion would continue with former co-worker John Roberts. Toronto was a combination of fun and seeing old friends, since I haven’t seen John and his wife Lise in 11 years… We enjoyed dinner at Sukho Thai on Parliament and my last night in Toronto I took a streetcar to John and Lise’s home in Roncevalles.
Some of the exciting tourist things I did in Toronto included the Hockey Hall of Fame (got my picture taken with the Stanley Cup – well a replica of it), Art Gallery of Ontario, The Bata Shoe Museum and of course a stop at Curry’s Art Supply Store. I can’t go to any city without a stop at an art supply store and buy some art supply that I don’t have (or find once I’m home I already have something just like it). The food in Toronto was fabulous with breakfast at It’s Jenny on Carlton, Sukho Thai, and AGO Bistro. I never had a bad meal, even the burger at the airport was delicious.
I stopped to meet a fellow author S.E. Tomas who was selling his books on a street corner. A former homeless man, he’s written and published three books about his life on the street. We shared stories about our publishing experiences with Amazon’s CreateSpace and Kindle Direct. And, we discussed his marketing success as an author. I was impressed.
I walked miles and miles while in Toronto, and when I couldn’t walk anymore, I called for an Uber. My boutique hotel: Downtown Luxury Victorian Retreat on Seaton St. was the best choice ever for a luxury stay, and my host Dana was most enjoyable to chat with when ever I was coming or going. She made you feel so welcomed in a city I was visiting for the first time. Even my flight home was enjoyable despite the delays, as my seat mate made me laugh several times.
My BIG take away from this trip however, was this: Recognize that life is too short and it’s most important to put aside our political beliefs and enjoy one another right now regardless of how you feel about world conditions. It became all too apparent with the tribute to our deceased classmates that in an instant our life can be over and we missed out on what is truly valuable – connecting. Connecting to those we know, love or even just met has far more value than anything else. Embrace life, connect with all that you can, and know that your friendship is valuable to me today and always.
Life is good? You bet! And connecting with all that I saw and the people I met made it even more meaningful. I realized that connecting offers value, enjoyment, laughter, sharing and appreciation just to name a few. You’ll never know the impact that you make on the life of another by connecting. And believe me, that impact is priceless.
In the spirit of love and light,
Warmest Regards,
Rosemary Augustine
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