Thoughts on our 50th high school reunion; Hooks High School, Class of 1972.

Dear Hooks High School Class of 1972— Since Alabama is a mere nine hour drive from Texarkana, Texas, I had time to reflect on our 50th high school reunion; a time of respite and restoration from the ills around us. 

We were safe and we were young once again. How nice it felt! I also had time to think about the “heart of Texas” and what that really means. I have decided the following: it is not our wonderful bluebonnets—none like them; our celebrated longhorn cattle; our beautiful Hill Country with its mesquite low growing trees, our monuments and memorials, or our unique, rugged, hardiness as Texans. I think the “heart” of Texas is all of our small towns, too numerous to even know, let alone count or name. These little towns are the places where “everyone knows your name.” These small towns are the places you will always call home. 

In our own hearts, there is a space for the fertile soil cultivated by living and growing in Hooks together; a small time span in the bigger picture of our living, but an important one. To those who planned and budgeted and looked for us who are “out there”, I thank you. It matters. It’s as if you made a place for us to play for a while, getting our feet wet and dirty, laughing at who we were then and who we are now; to grieve for those no longer with us; bittersweet moments grown from that fertile soil we know as Hooks, Texas. 

So, let us be grateful for Hooks and the other small towns in Texas, its true heart-- where we once played and dreamed. It helped mold us into who we are now and what we will continue to become as life moves us around.


 Class of 1972—I salute you all.

Comments

  1. CarolynCreightonJune 2, 2022 at 3:25 PM

    I sent this to a publication called "Texas Monthly." I don't know if they will accept it or not, but my classmates loved it. Fifty years of classmates (total 90) was a unique time to be together. No one in our class went to Vietnam; we had one who died of long covid, and this group had many polarizing elements back then. I guess we grew up.

    If you plan on establishing a blog, you can use blogspot.com for free. It may prove useful for storing articles in one place, exchanging leadership tips, or just to write like no one is looking. Enjoy.
    Carolyn

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