I’m now on the tail-end of a great two-week vacation. Over Independence Day weekend Pam and I traveled to Farmington, New Mexico for our 40-year high school reunion. 40 years out of high school – that’s a longggggg time!

We had a fabulous time. Ate lots, took morning walks along the Animas River, watched the full moon rise into the desert night sky over a glass of wine and endless conversations with old friends about family, faith and the world as it could be. What seemed easiest in this whirlwind of a weekend was connecting with friends we haven’t seen for at least 10 years. While it seems like we saw them just yesterday, we have all changed. Some came with different partners, some with none, many with ailments small or life-threatening. But we came. Our graduating class in 1969 was just over 400. More than 100 of us showed up over a busy weekend in July. I was in awe.

40 years (has a biblical ring to it, doesn’t it!?) is a long time. Long enough, that when someone says, ”Bill, you’re starting to look a lot like your dad” I’ve stopped clenching my fist and thinking “No, I’m not” and beginning to appreciate the value of the compliment. 40 years is long enough to have several dreams die in disappointment but it’s also long enough to experience more than a few of God’s miracles along the way. 

40 years is a long time. Just think of the ancient Israelites. Chasing their dreams around the desert for over a generation… living mostly on God’s grace. Over 100 alums from our graduating class showed up, most came because they needed to reconnect with those who shared the love and adventures of childhood and teen years, who would remember the best and forget or forgive the rest. And if you remember the Exodus story of the ancient Israelites, God wasn’t finished with them. Well, it seems that God isn’t finished with us either. So in some strange way, our 40-year high school reunion was a gathering of a community of grace and promise.

 Peace, Bill