I WONDER WHATEVER BECAME OF! !
- Growing older gives time to remember events and people that happened along in former years.
- For instance, the kid who sat in the front row at school; the teacher declared he would never graduate and would at best become a tramp. He got through school, graduated from university , obtained a PhD and became the author of several best selling books.
- Many generals, skilled surgeons, acclaimed intellectuals and other famous people had their start in the one-roomed school, and in most cases their intellectual abilities did not shine forth to the teacher, who would strive to develop what appeared to be the small contribution they might possibly make to society. Greatness in anything was unthinkable.
- There was also the student who was a walking encyclopedia, who could answer every question first, was always called upon to demonstrate the difficult mathematical problem and cited as the one individual every other should emulate. He somehow got lost in the shuffle. He will always be remembered for the student most likely to succeed but very little else.
- Every community had someone termed strange; the brunt of everyone's joke and possibly after careful tolerance could be formed into a useful citizen. History records that one such individual became president of the United States.
- I remember a very funny kid in our school. I saw his picture in the paper a few years ago -he had just been appointed a judge.
- The dramatic character - she was the lead in every play and emulated the heroine of the Saturday movies on Monday morning. We all knew she was destined to appear on the silver screen. At last report, she married a local farmer who operates a very successful acreage and they are raising a family of six children.
- The war ended and the boy with the two left feet, who never could master a three on the floor gear shift, came home a decorated fighter pilot.
- Then there was the kid, who after nearly drowning in the farm pond one summer, became afraid of water. He commanded a corvette during W.W.II.
- Anyone who has ever had the experience of going home to a school reunion after two or three decades, will be able to recall that feeling of wondering whatever happened to the school chum you have lost track of.
- The heart throb in Grade two; the kid that brought the barnyard to school each morning; and the shy little girl that sat in the front of you - some made a mark in the world, a few failed - several were among the names read out "In remembrance", but everyone, even those who were not supposed to succeed, appeared to find a niche in the world suited to their needs.
- Some of the names can no longer be recalled, age has changed many facial features, and they have all matured.
- There is one thing that stands out at one of these reunions - it is a great time to recall old memories, and always the same parting refrain "this gathering should take place more often" .
Note: This article was published in W .J .D. McAlister's weekly column in the Burlington Post of february 19th, 1988.
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