My 50th Maynard High School Class Reunion
By Patrick Crotty, Composed September 11, 2011 (Revised September 22, 2011)
What a wonderful experience
To see you all here today
It helped me to remember
Events so far away.
How bright were all our futures
As we left in cap and gown
Our goals in all directions
Like farmers’ seeds are sown.
Some left with hazy visions
Of what their lives would hold
While others knew just what to do
And started down their roads.
So full of turns and potholes
Our lives now seem to be
We weathered storms and furies
While seeking harmony.
Fifty years, so long, and yet
It seems like yesterday
That we all gathered in the gym
And started on our ways.
Early on, our gatherings
Brought back those days of yore
But as time went by, we learned we were
On roads that took detours.
To places we’d not planned to see
With choices we did not like
But we saw them through, we persevered
We wouldn’t lose those fights.
All throughout advancing years
We worked so very hard
To reach our goals, and claim success
Forever up, onward!
From time to time we’d pause to think
Of where we’d been before
But seldom did we take the time
To go on home once more.
As careers took shape and families grew
We lost all sense of time
Through work and play we laughed and sang
Oh, life could be so fine.
But not for all, some paid the price
Were dealt a crummy hand
For life is not an easy road
Where one can make demands.
Oh, we all succeeded in some ways
Not always those we’d planned
While even the most prosperous
Have sometimes lost command.
Of things that no one can control
Hard as they might try
It’s those tough times that tear our hearts
And make us want to cry.
We lost good friends along the way
To life’s many mortal threats
We thought of them all here today
For a time we were bereft.
Then looking back across the years
Who wouldn’t want to smile
At so many fine events
We’ve seen since once a child.
I think on even farther back
Where my roots are in the soil
Family, friends, and Maynard High
All helped me through life’s toil.
Now I’ve the time to reminisce
To dwell upon those days
When we were young, and yes, naïve
Of life’s eternal ways.
My classmates all, I wish you well
And hope that you can say
‘Some dreams I had so long ago
Are memories today.'