Aug 10 2009
40th Reunion – Magic under the Stars
So there I was driving up a dusty road to a remote friend’s ranch located an hour from the “city” to meet the adventurous souls that made the effort to gather and celebrate a short, but hugely important, time of our youth 40 years ago. I followed the signs (always nice to have a sign person involved!) and turned into the field where I saw the sprawling white tent and cars parking next to a barn in an adjacent field. Visions of Woodstock, also celebrating its 40th anniversary, with great tunes and great people gathering to become one again; time to rekindle relationships, relive old exploits and mischief, have fun and then disappear into the night to remote locations throughout the US.
Happens every week throughout the country, right?! But this group and those of similar ages witnessed and became part of something huge in America. It was not only Woodstock’s anniversary.
Forty years ago we put a man on the moon with prehistoric computers which make that moon shot appear to be more of a sling shot – looking back, the astronauts were truly brave pioneers!
Civil rights, peace marches, tolerance, voting rights for 18 year olds, a true renaissance of rock, blues, and Motown – all of these events no matter your position politically or religious persuasion became a part of our fabric at that time. We suffered as a nation when key leaders were assassinated. And now we have an African American as President - rarely imagined 40 years ago.
So as the evening went on, music wafting across the fields, under a canopy of stars, amidst great conversation, dancing and fun one could imagine how rich this moment was. Certainly a lot more gray hair in the crowd, not to mention a little less in places, but the richness of the souls was obvious. Good times, bad times, survivors of cancer, physical disabilities, personal losses, failures and challenges, but also wins and perseverance. No complaints on this night, just souls coming together and sharing. We all were threads of each other’s fabric, either our interaction years ago or lack of it.
As the event wound down and I drove away, I thought how special a night – rich, in fact, and magical. Everyone has a contribution while on this earth that affects many friends, family and acquaintances. We are indeed a village and we’re doing okay, even in tough times.
Enjoy the journey and those special people around you as you go forward into the night. It’s all good!
Have a great summer; take some well deserved time off and good selling!
