It was May 28, 1970. I
sat with about 340 young men and women in metal chairs on the gym floor looking
at our teachers on the platform and parents in the stands as we shouted triumphantly; “We’re The Best at S.D. Lee, The Mighty
Class of 70!” We were seniors,
graduating from high school and we thought we were ON TOP OF THE WORLD! We didn’t know what the future held
but I will never forget that feeling of exhilaration knowing that I had made
it! I remember driving around town later
just smiling and waving at everyone I saw.
One of the joys of growing up in a small town is that you know most of
the people you see. I had a huge grin
that screamed; “I am a senior and I am ON TOP OF THE WORLD!”
50 years later I have arrived at the place Mark Twain supposedly
described (when in doubt you can always credit Mark Twain with any quote) as
‘remembering things that never happened’.
For my 40th reunion, we were asked to submit high school memories
for a booklet. I wrote; “I remember being 6’ 4” and being elected
Most Handsome, Wittiest, Most Likely to Succeed, Captain of the Football &
Basketball team, Valedictorian and Mr. Lee High. However, I have taken a lot of prescription
medication and consumed a number of Diet Dr. Peppers with aspartame over the
years so I may have forgotten a thing or two.
Funny, I looked back in the yearbook and they only listed me as Sports
Editor.” It got a laugh but I do have
many serious memories that will always be valued.
I remember friends who did not get to celebrate our
graduation as their life was cut short.
The first funerals I remember attending were classmates Alan and Bill
who died in a tragic car wreck. I
remember Arnold who did not have a car due to his seizure disorder. He rode a moped to school and we teased him
because most of us had never seen a small motorcycle with pedals. It was no longer funny when he didn’t make it
to school one day because he didn’t survive that final major seizure. There were others I also recall whose lives
were shortened not long after graduation.
I will always remember Dobert calling me one Friday afternoon asking if
she could ride with me if I was going home from college that weekend. I told her I was not leaving until Saturday so
she decided to drive home in her own car.
The next day when I passed the place on the highway where she was killed
in a collision with a carload of students who had too much to drink, the
feeling is still difficult to describe.
Ricky and I met on the first day of class in the first grade and remained
best friends all through school. He was probably
the most talented and gifted person I have ever known. He was only 52 when his life ended. We all have similar memories of friends or
family members who left us too soon.
These memories taught me that life is uncertain, fragile,
precious and fleeting. That lesson is
far more important than anything I ever learned in a classroom. Joe, a good friend and fellow classmate, devised
a ‘Roller Coaster’ philosophy of life; “Enjoy
the slow climb to the peak because a sudden drop may be waiting.” Every life truly has a mixture of joy and
sorrow.
While there may be times of grief, sorrow and despair there will
always be times when we reach a peak and have that feeling of being ON
TOP OF THE WORLD! It may be the
time when you walked out of the church for the first time holding hands as
husband and wife. Or it may be the time
when you held your new baby. Whatever
the moment may be, every life has moments that we need to savor and remember!
I am constantly amazed at how many people go through life
clinging to anger, jealousy, negative memories, thoughts and destructive
behavior. If these years have taught me
anything I have learned that life is indeed uncertain. No matter what age or station of life we may
attain our next breath could be our last.
So, why hold on to any negative emotion or action? If someone has wronged you, forgive them as
quickly as possible. If you have wronged
someone, apologize and ask for forgiveness without delay. Life is too short to hold on to any destructive action, emotion
or memory.
God promised a few things that are certain in life.
He promised that no matter what happens He will never leave or forsake me
(Hebrews 13:5). He told me that no
matter how I may feel about the way I look or feel (as the shortest boy in
class I always wondered what it would be like to be tall), I am fearfully
and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
He also told me that I am precious and honored in His sight, and
because He loves me (Isaiah 43:4).
Now as this member of the ‘Mighty Class of 70’ approaches
the age of 70. I have priceless memories
and lessons of life to remind me that every day should be savored. Every friendship cherished. Each day I wake (as a senior citizen I now
wake before the sun rises) with an early morning exercise ritual. I do one push-up if I wake on my face and one
sit-up if I wake on my back. Some parts
wake slower than others but I treasure the fact that I am awake, alive and here. Although the day ahead is uncertain and could
even be my last, I will make the most of it because God will never leave or forsake
me. I am fearfully and wonderfully
made. I am precious and honored in His
sight and He loves me. Even
though I am 50 years removed from that mountain top experience as a graduating
high school senior, I still celebrate the gift of life today as I am a now senior
(citizen) and I am ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
