Is the 30 Year Reunion for the South Garland Class of 1972 over?   NO, it has only just begun!   The events at the Wilson World Hotel, the Wynne Park, and at Eddie Deen's Ranch may be over, but we are not through with our Reunion.   Although we are no longer gathered in one large group in a room or a park, the Reunion continues through emails, phone calls, letters, and gatherings of smaller groups.   The Reunion is continued by each of us who contacts another classmate, whether current compadre or renewed acquaintance.

    The time we had at the Reunion was much too short.   It seemed like we did not get to talk to everyone we wanted to, could not talk as long as we wanted to, and were not able to finish the stories we started to tell.   But in the time we had, we became a group again.   All the old friendships are brand new again.   All the old stories are favored memories.   All the old faces are new (old) faces.   All the life stories have more chapters and new characters.   All the dreamers have new dreams.

    We were blessed with the great turnout of our many old friends at the events of the Reunion.   It was as if a large family who had been apart for these many years, came together once again.   We opened the book of our lives and started again where we left off, as if we had left a bookmark in the last chapter we wrote.

    Those of us who did not attend were not forgotten and were missed.   If you did not attend because of unhappy memories of South Garland, I would like to relate a quote I heard at the Reunion:   "I almost did not come tonight because I hated school.   I hated the administration.   I was not interested in the Pep Rallies, Sports, Student Council, or the other Activities.   But when I came tonight to the Reunion, I realized that High School was not about those things, it was about the people.   It was about the other kids I was friends with.   And I realized tonight that the whole class were my friends.   And I am glad I took this chance to see them again."  

    If you did not attend because of cost, the Reunion Committee is making plans to reduce the cost of future events.   The Committee will have to take on additional responsibilities to make this happen.   The Committee will have to perform many of the duties our planning service, Great Reunions, did for us.   We will also have to be more financially prepared to provide deposits and pre-payments.   Your help will be needed.   Volunteer for the Committee, participate in fundraisers, help us locate advertising revenue, and keep everyone informed.

    The Reunion Video presented at the Reunion will be completed soon with the addition of stills and videos from the Reunion events.   Be sure to order yours, soon.   The Videos are available on this website from the "SG SHOP" (click the button on the main page).

    Although the events of July 20 are over, the Reunion Committee is not yet finished.   Many more future plans are in the works, some in the very near future.   There will be more opportunities to get our extended family together again.   Keep checking the website for more information.   And don't hesitate to call your old buddies up and just get together on your own.   Keep the 30 Year Reunion going!

    Until we meet again ...