We were born before credit cards, split atoms, laser beams, ballpoint pens, panty hose, dishwashers and clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, polyester, before Mankind went into space, let alone a man walked on the moon. We were born before househusbands, gay rights, computer dating and even computer marriages, dual careers, day-care centers, group therapy, and nursing homes. There were no FM radios, tape recorders, electric typewriters, word processors, organ transplants, yogurt, and guys wearing earrings and having tongue, nose, navel piercing. It was a time of high school sweethearts who later married, among them Bill Seitz and Ethel Knoth Switz, our faithful historians, who have kept our class together. At our 55th reunion, the silent observed a moment for 93 dead.
Reunion graduates mostly sit with their spouses unless they are widowed.
There are few divorces. They talk about their children, grandchildren, travels, and condos. They talk about the hard times starting a home after returning from WWII duty, yet they bear no bitterness of the four-year interruption into their lives. Some walk with their heads held high, trying to see through their trifocals. They regret all the mistakes they made trying to resist temptation, and admit the little gray-haired person that helped them cross the street is their spouse.