When age begins to creep up and everything else begins to sag, people tend to want to cluster with those of like minds and hearts.
That’s what happened to members of the Pike County High School Class of 1961.
“We just got to the age that we wanted to get together to look back on the good time and catch up with what is going on with all of us,” said Louise Danner. “It has been a long time since we graduated but we’re still like family.”
Members of the class knew that other classes were getting together from time to time and they decided they would like to do the same. So, in October 2010, they met for lunch and had so much fun they decided to make the get togethers monthly outings.
“We go to different restaurants each month,” said Jimmy Phillips. “Sometimes we’ll have a big crowd. Sometimes there won’t be that many but we always have a good time.”
Leslie Jackson was president of the PCHS Class of 1961 and he presides over all the gatherings.
“I didn’t know that I was going to be elected president for life,” he said, laughing.
Jackson and his wife, Jimmie, were classmates at PCHS and, as the president and “first lady,” they hosted a Christmas get together for the class.
“Every time we get together, it’s special,” said Eleise Floyd. “We talk about a lot of things but getting older is one thing we talk about a lot.”
Julia Hornsby said mainly they talk about the aches and pains of getting older.
“But life is good now,” she said. “We’re older and we don’t have to worry about what others think about us or what we do. And, things don’t bother us like they used to. The things that seemed so important years ago aren’t that important now. It’s a comfortable place in life to be.”
Danner said she’s not the same person she was when she was in high school.
“I used to be shy but I’m not anymore,” she said. “I’m to the age that I can say what I think and feel and not worry about it.”
The classmates who gathered at Country’s Barbecue Wednesday all agreed that age is a state of the mind.
“I don’t feel old until I get out of bed and try to walk,” Judy Wilson said, laughing.
Peggy Livingston said she had the same feeling just getting out of a chair.
The classmates all agreed that getting older means aching joints, failing eyesight and ears that don’t perk like they used to do. And, the image that looks back at them from the mirror looks much more like mama or daddy than the girl or boy they used to be.
But, to a one, they agreed that age is a state of the mind and that, aches and pains aside, they don’t feel much differently from they way they did in 1961.
Time has marched on and things have changed but the friendships get better with time.
“We are like family,” Floyd said. “And, I think we are closer now than when we were in school.”
Even though there was a time of drifting apart, there is now a time of coming back together.
“And, it’s a good time,” Jackson said.
The Class of 1961 will meet at 10:45 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Pike County High School where they will tour the new school building and have lunch.
All members of the PCHS Class of 1961are invited to attend.