A RETURN TO OUR ROOTS

Jim and I received an e-mail from some friends that we grew up with about a possible all year elementary school reunion. We were excited about going back to Midland (Michigan) and seeing friends that we haven't seen since high school (I won't say how many years ago that is-seems like yesterday). Seems like a good year to go north since its been over 100 degrees most of the summer. Diana and her family, also, decided to attend the reunion so that Diane could show her girls her old hometown. We drove out to the homes we grew up in. Here we are at 84 Baker Road, my old home. It still looks the same, but it seemed bigger when I grew up there. On Saturday we woke up to pouring rain, but we went out to Windover Elementary School on Homer Road. The principle of the school opened the school for the potluck, since we couldn't use the park. It was amazing. The school has not changed at all since the 1950's. Same lights, same bathrooms, same little coat hooks. Its now an alternative school for teens. When we went there it was K-5th grade. There were about 200 people that came. It was so much fun reconnecting with old neighbors, best friends growing up, and old teachers. I was surprised to see Sandi and Joe Smith (I babysit them when they were little) that lived next door to us. Lee, LeAnne, Sherri Walker were our best friends across the street and they all came. Their parents, Ann and Roy Walker, were my parents best friends. We toured the school, relived the past and reconnected.

LeAnne, Lee and Sheri Walker and Sandi Engle Davidson.

This picture were classmates that were 2 years younger than me. The other picture is of Jims class and the lady on the end is Bea Maples (a teacher and mother to Dennis Mapes in the green pants) These guys all lived in our neighborhood (Terry Cashin, Jim, Lee Walker, Dennis Mapes, and Lee Norling)

We had to take Diana and her girls to the house that was just down from Jim's childhood home. Jack Pratt and his mother lived here. He and a friends spent 1000's of hours using broken glass and dishes to create an art work on their house. It was turned over to an art group in the city of Midland. Its really quite amazing.

And of course what would a trip home be without a visit to the mausoleum and cemetary to do some geneology. Kylie looks quite amused by all of this. It was a fun reunion and we are looking forward to the next one. Thanks again for all the hours put into this, Sandi Davidson, Betty Spangler and Joe DuFort. See you next year (I hear the numbers coming are already growing).