Like most seniors, we had gotten out of school a week before and returned briefly that next week for graduation practice. All of us seemed more relaxed and happy, the burden of final exams behind us. Our lockers were cleaned out and we really had no ties to the school left. After practicing our march into the gym and across the stage, we’d jump in our cars and go home.

No other obligations.

I remember many of us lingered in the “senior parking lot” after practice. I supposed, even in the midst of our excitement, we felt a bit lost. This preferential parking and indeed, even our title of “seniors,” was a fleeting thing. Soon, the next class would claim spots there.  It was nice while it lasted.

Our class was one of the first in many years to have their graduation ceremony on the football field. It was really a fantastic night. Everyone looked great and felt great. The school board members and minister who would pray for our futures sat on a large trailer and there had been steps attached at each end.

Mrs. Harriss, who had been in charge of this ceremony for years, surprised us as we walked near the steps. There she sat, right underneath the “hitching” area of the trailer, nodding her head when it was time to make our ascent to the stage. Thinking about that little lady sitting there, making sure the ceremony went off without a hitch, really makes me laugh. I’m sure if any of my classmates read this, they’ll laugh as well.

After we’d taken our seats, a very solemn silence fell over the class. Despite our excitement, our relief and anticipation, I think we began to realize that this was it. These last few moments as a class would be the last few moments for many relationships. Many of us would never see each another again.

This was the end of many parts of our lives.

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was thinking about the past (although I would not have admitted to such dramatic thoughts at the time). As we watched our classmates walk up and down the aisle and across the stage, we thought of all the time we’d spent together since kindergarten. I wonder if we thought about spilling milk in kindergarten and having to wear the hand-me-down clothes the nurse kept in her office. Did we remember skirmishes on the playground, mastering the new monkey bars or trying to beat one another in the presidential physical fitness test? I wonder how many of us thought about junior high dances, chorus and band concerts, bad cafeteria food and favorite teachers we’d had.

We experienced a lot together. We were together when there was an assassination attempt on President Reagan’s life. On the winter morning after John Lennon was shot, we sat in the gym, quietly talking about it.  We cheered when the principal came over the intercom and announced that the Iran hostages had been released after their seemingly endless time of captivity.

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one thinking that this was the last time I’d seen some of these kids. We had picked on one another, shared wonderful times, supported one another and basically lived together as a family for many years. Amazing that this was our last evening to be together as a class.

When we got back together, 10 years later, it was amazing.  Everyone was genuinely glad to see one another. We no longer cared about cliques. No one cared about thinning hair or weight gains. Glad we were, to be together again.

Still, many of us were missing. Most of those missing lived far away or just simply failed to show up for various reasons.  By the time we had reached our 25th  reunion, we had lost some classmates. Indeed, some had not been seen since that evening in May 1985. And now, they were gone.

Although I continue to fuss about and then celebrate Facebook, I will say it has been a great thing for the Class of 1985. We keep in touch. Those of us who live far away feel they can actually re-connect.  Due to Facebook, some feel no need to attend reunions anymore.

I wonder if those kiddos graduating this year have thought about any of this. Do they wonder who they will keep in touch with? Do they wonder which classmates they will never see again?

Do they wonder how incredibly different life will now be?