When I was out of high school 10 years, this wasn’t even a question.  Of course I would go! I looked good and I had made a successful career out of what started just as volunteer work for the March of Dimes in high school. I was single, but that was cool at 28.  For that reunion, I was voted the “Most Eligible Bachelorette” which I cherished until my mid-thirties when it really wasn’t a compliment anymore.  

But, at 38 I married my husband, Skip. I was determined to go to another reunion. And, my husband, by most people’s standards was a winner.  He was a successful lawyer, provided us with a beautiful home, played jazz on the piano, brought two of the most remarkable children I could ever hope to have in my life with him into the marriage, and he tells me he loves me every day of my life.  Oh yeah, I was going to the next reunion!  

Another high school friend of mine, John, also had become a lawyer and he and my husband knew and respected each other well enough that we decided to double date for this reunion.  We dressed to the “nines” and had cocktails downtown at a private club before we drove down to the reunion.  Unfortunately, it was outside in August in Texas…NOT cool and we were overdressed. But, I think for my sake, they stayed until the “incident” happened that would forever keep my husband from attending my high school reunion again.  The disc jockey, who was playing old records that were popular back in our high school days, made this announcement: “Now, ladies and gentlemen…let’s get down and hokey pokey just like you did in high school!”  Shockingly, it was my friend, John who turned to me at this point and said, “Pat, I didn’t hokey pokey when we were at Edison High School, and I’ll be (darned – not exactly the word he used, but close) if I’m going to now! Let’s go.”  Skip was right behind him as though a fire had broken out and we needed to save our lives by being the first out!  On the “long” drive home, I heard all about the “cool” Mo Town music my husband and his sisters were accustomed to by growing up so close to Philly.  To make it worse, his sisters often danced to popular music on “American Bandstand” and were seen on national television!  

I knew after this reunion, if I attended any more high school reunions, I would be on my own. …. If there were any more reunions … after all, I had been out of high school a long, long time by now.  And, after all, why did I have a need to attend any more reunions anyway?

So years went by and I didn’t think about it…until the spring of 2012…I got an email that said my old buddies from Edison High Scholl were planning our 45^th high school reunion.  I stared at the text and said to myself “NOOOOOOOOOOO…. 

I can’t be that old to be out of high school that long!”  

Then, I had that private conversation with myself again that I had every time I got a reunion notice…why should I go this time?  I don’t look as good as I once did, but I am still passionately working in the same career. I have now been married to Skip for 23 years, so it looks like the marriage is pretty solid … although the chances that he would attend were astronomically bad!  

Why should I go this year?  And, then I read all about the activities for the big reunion weekend and I saw that we were scheduled to tour our old high school.  That caught my attention.  I had not set foot in my old high school in 45 years.   Unlike Skip, my old friend John was planning to go on the condition that if they started to play the “Hokey Pokey” he would immediately make tracks for the door!  But even John’s wife, Connie said … if he wanted to go on the high school tour … she wasn’t.  So, we made a plan that John and I would visit our old high school that Saturday morning without dragging any unwilling partners with us.

Now, to finish this story I need to regress back for a moment to 45 years ago.  During that era, senior classes would give something to the high school as a parting gift.  The previous classes had opted for planting trees, making benches, etc. …But that didn’t seem enough to me.  As 1^st Vice President of my class, I took this challenge very seriously.  I wanted our class to leave behind something that would last and give new meaning to the words “school spirit”.  So I came up with the idea of getting our mascot, a “Golden Bear” fashioned into a huge fiberglass Bear to leave in the lobby of the high school. Surely fiberglass would outlast a tree or a bench! Many of my classmates helped raise the $800 needed to purchase the Bear by washing cars, having bake sales and pitching in to make this dream come true.  The Golden Bear arrived one beautiful morning and we uncrated him to discover that he was a perfectly magnificent gift from the class of 1967 to Edison High School! They even took photos for the annual yearbook with me and another student standing next to the uncrated bear.  And as I recall, everybody was happy about the newest addition to the high school lobby …none more than me! 

So, as I drove to the high school this year on a bright sunny Saturday morning, I got to thinking “I wonder if that Bear is still there?”  Probably after 45 years, a newer model would have replaced it. Or maybe he had been destroyed by pranks from the rival high school, or he had just outgrown his usefulness.  It was just a fleeting thought that crossed my mind as I parked my car and walked up the front stairs of my high school. 

I opened the door and what do you know … the Bear was still there!  

Now he sits on a raised platform with the light cascading down on him from a heighten ceiling with a skylight window above. It was an “AHA” MOMENT for sure … cue the trumpets!  I learned that day that he (named “Samson” years ago by the students) was an important part of Edison’s culture…he attended pep rallies, school functions, and even was taken to football games (both home and away!) where he spins on his platform when the team makes a touchdown!  Admittedly, he had some “work” done, but he still looked awfully good to me!  Many of my classmates were also excited to see that our 45-year-old gift was still there and still representing “school spirit” as we had intended.  

Now it’s been a few weeks since that day, and I have since been in touch with the principal of Edison High School.  I had one more idea.  I asked him if it would be all right if I donated a sign to attach to the platform that Samson inhabits. And it would say: “This Golden Bear was a graduation gift to Thomas A. Edison High School by the class of 1967”.  He approved.  Yesterday, I completed my final act of school spirit.  

I went to the high school and attached the sign, patted old Samson on the paw and told him to keep up the spirits of all those students present and yet to come.  

During the time I was attending high school the Viet Nam War was taking place. Many of my fellow students joined or were drafted into military service and lost their lives fighting for our country.  I am hoping now, that just maybe, that Bear represents more than school spirit, that now he embodies the true character and courage of all Edison graduates who went on to lives of quiet service to not only our country, but to humanity and our community in general.

As I walked out the door, the Assistant Principal, Mr. Hernandez turned to me and said, “Don’t forget, you are always welcomed to come back …after all, this is still your high school, too.”

So before you say to yourself, “No, I am NOT going to my high school reunion” I want you to think about this. Whatever your high school experience was … it’s still a part of who you are.  I had to see a great big Bear named Samson to understand that everything we do in life has an effect.  You might meet up with an old high school chum who influenced you in some small way at your next reunion, and then you can express your gratitude for that one single, important moment of your life.  You might witnesses, like I did that day, a memorial ceremony dedicated to my classmates who gave the ultimate gift…their lives in the Viet Nam War. Our class represented the first year Edison students participated in the ROTC Program.  During our reunion tour, we were honored to present our newest gift to the school … a beautiful plaque given in the memory of the sacrifices my fellow classmates made for our country to hang on the wall of the ROTC Classroom. That’s worth another visit for sure.

I will never forget this year’s reunion.  I’m really glad I went. Seeing my old high school buddies and the Bear was such a joy! Maybe next fall my old classmates & I will go to a Edison High School football game and cheer our old Samson on as he begins his famous spin of victory after Edison makes a touchdown!  And maybe, if I promise Skip they won’t play the “hokey pokey” at the game, he will join me!

GO BEARS GO!

HOMEMADE BEAR CLAWS

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 4 ounces almond paste
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• 2 teaspoons coarse sugar
• ½ cup powdered sugar (optional)
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions:

 Thaw the puff pastry per package directions.

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a food processor (or in a bowl with an electric mixer) combine almond paste, butter and sugar until crumbly. In a small bowl beat the egg until combined. Add half of the egg and the flour to the almond paste mixture and reserve the other half of the egg for brushing on the pastry.
3. Roll out the puff pastry to a 16″ by 16″ square. Cut in half, then cut along the other side to make 8 rectangles.
4. Place a scoop of almond filling on the lower half of each rectangle, spread almost to the edges. Fold over the top half and press the sides together firmly.
5. Make four small slits along the long side to make 5 little claws. Move to the baking sheet.
6. Brush each claw with the remaining egg. Sprinkle with sliced almonds and a pinch of coarse sugar.
7. Bake at 400°F until golden, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Some of the filling will probably ooze out of the claws, just cut it off with a knife and nibble on it (baker’s privilege).
8. Optional Glaze: If desired, while pastries are baking combine powdered sugar with enough almond extract to make a glaze. Drizzle over the bear claws after they have baked and cooled for at least 5 minutes.

INSPIRATION:

The Spirit Bear, also known as the Kermode bear, symbolizes strength, courage, introspection, and protection. It often represents a connection to nature, spiritual awakening, and personal transformation. In some cultures, the bear, including the Spirit Bear, is revered as a powerful and sacred creature, embodying wisdom and guardianship. Here’s a more detailed look at its symbolism:

• Strength and Courage:

The bear’s physical size and power are associated with inner strength and the ability to face challenges head-on. 

• Introspection and Solitude:

Bears often spend time alone, symbolizing the importance of introspection, self-reflection, and finding wisdom within. 

• Protection and Nurturing:

Bears are protective of their young and territory, representing the ability to nurture and defend what is important. 

• Spiritual Awakening:

Encountering a Spirit Bear can signify a period of spiritual growth, transformation, and a deeper understanding of oneself. 

• Oneness with Nature:

In some contexts, the Spirit Bear represents a deep connection with the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living things. 

• Adaptability and Resilience:

The bear’s ability to adapt to different environments and survive harsh conditions can symbolize resilience and the capacity to overcome adversity. 

• Leadership:

Bears are seen as natural leaders, suggesting the potential for strong leadership qualities and the ability to guide others.