Everything associated with the word gold or the number 50 seems to add to its importance. A 50th golden wedding anniversary or the 50th birthday of people, places and things always seems special. Why that is true, I don’t know. However, if it makes people feel good, why not celebrate. Personally, it sounds as if people think their marriage wouldn’t last 50 years or they didn’t expect to live to the age 50. Or could it be the colour gold and the number 50 makes us feel like celebrating.
Nevertheless, I must admit that I think the idea of meeting up with my school friends after 33 years for a reunion to celebrate our 50 years of being the 'golden girls' sound too exciting to let go. To me, a reunion is the celebration of thousands of memories and hundreds of friendships that have withstood the test of time, a renewal of bonds that will be taken to the grave.
During the weekend of 11th December 2010, the St Nicholas Convent, Alor Star class of 1977 - 35 of the golden ladies shared their past and their present of their 33 years of memories together. Even though most of us could not recall the other ladies from the different classes, their faces and their names, most of us knew each other because of the close-knit community in which we grew up. The true and real Muhibbah!!
Ladies from all three main three races (Indian, Chinese and Malay, not forgetting the others) came back to Kedah from across the country and as far as Perth, Australia and Brunei, to renew friendships and trip down memory lane as only those who were there with them could appreciate. I heard the ladies talking about their community, their children and husbands, their churches, old sweethearts, where they have been and what they have done.
Most of all, we talked about the teachers and their dedication to shaping young minds for the struggles and hurdles we would have to overcome not because of the colour of our skin. The first person I saw when I arrived at the hotel was Aik Poe. Immediately, I started to reflect on the good old days when we were all young and carefree — very few responsibilities.
From that point on, it was a trip down memory lane that was fueled by teasing and recollections. I saw ladies that I haven’t seen since leaving for college in 1977. It’s funny that 33 years sound so long ago, yet we all still feel the same deep inside except that we are all grown ups and have become older and wiser. I have lost touch with some of my friends and glad to have found them again - thanks to Facebook. That reunion night, I learned more about my friends life and their involvement. I saw the old photos and try to recognize all of them.
I was honoured to be the game organizer at the reunion. So, what does one talk about on occasion such as a 50th birthday reunion? Oh...you wouldn't want to know - cos we would have talked all night. Even though it was a celebration for the living, we found ourselves slipping into a state of melancholy when we found out about some of our close friends who have passed on through the years. We paid special tribute to the memory of our classmates. This is one of those times when you close your eyes and remember just how precious life is and how short our lives can be here on Earth.
The music was great, the food was delicious, and the renewal of friendships made this a wonderful reunion for everyone. Don't forget the next reunion will be in 2012 in Port Dickson.
See yall.....
