Church Point Get Together

Our grade xii class at SMH were about to be graduates and the class was looking for ways to get together before our Prom.We were a small class and actually 12 members of our class began grade 1 together and now were leaving the system for bigger and better things. After looking for an event we decided to have a cook out and swim at Church Point. A dozen or more signed up for the trip and my Dad provided the transportation.

Dad's old coal truck was in use every day hauling coal but that night it was all clean and washed. Dad was to pick us up at 7:30 pm and drive us out to the point, about 15 miles. He would then come back at 10.30 pm to drive us home. We were excited and just to make matters better the weather was hot and calm.

We all packed into the old truck and sang and had a great time in the cramped quarters and arrived to begin a great evening of fun and frolics. We built a huge fire and after swimming in the cool June water we stood around the  fire and warmed up. Hot dogs and marsh mellows were cooked, burnt to perfection and we settled down to some of the most memorable conversations we ever had.

We remembered the good things and the sad things that occurred along our educational journey. We were a close knit group and as we talked of the future everyone of us except one were off to higher learning in the fall. Like all graduates we swore to keep in touch and mostly we did. Sixty years later we are smaller in number but still a robust gang.

The evening seemed to go so quickly and we ran out of time to say those special words to our special friends as Dad blew the horn calling us together for our drive home. We carefully put out the fire and it was almost symbolic as the flames went out so did our high school life. Rather than being happy we felt sad on the way home and we were very quiet. Thoughts screamed through our minds as the real true meaning of our future became a reality.

As Dad dropped off each of us at our home there were the good bye's as Dad went from home to home to make sure we safely delivered. When the last person was let off and Dad and I were alone in the front of the truck Dad asked me how the evening played out. I told him it was fun but sad as we were moving on. He said he wished he could have the opportunities we kids had as there was a wonderful world out there for us....one he never ever had the chance to experience as he became a miner as a boy helper. What could I say? Sorry Dad and thankyou for the wonderful evening, everyone enjoyed it.