I, too, went to my 25th HS Reunion ....in 1988, and it was as you described, JOYFUL. I graduated in 1963 from Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany, being a military kid, so our reunion had to be organized and managed, to gather many class years from all over the United States, where members now lived. It was held in Houston, Texas (I was currently living in Delaware, where I had just graduated from Nursing School from U of DE). It was an amazing turnout, with people from 1950s to 1980s, and some of our favorite teachers were there also, like Coach Cosner, who taught me math. It was a 4-day event, with so many different activities, time to talk and reminisce. I left with much joy and hope for the future.
These are different and sad times for our beloved country, but along with you, Qasim, I have hope and optimism, because of who we patriotic Americans are. We must never let free speech go, and the Resistance, because we KNOW who we want to continue to be, the land of the free.
I hear you. And I reflect on the words of James Baldwin.
"I never have been in despair about the world. I’ve been enraged by it. I don’t think I’m in despair. I can’t afford despair. I can’t tell my nephew, my niece. You can’t tell the children there’s no hope."
It’s nice that you had a fun time at your 25th. You don’t seem like the type of guy who got into trouble in high school, though. Maybe you got into good trouble or played hooky from school every once in a while with your friends.
But seriously, I was disappointed that our Attorney General, Kwame Raoul, was caught on his back heel regarding the Trump regime’s illegal and unconstitutional deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago.
He should have had a lawsuit ready to go, like the OR AG did. Maybe you should run against him in the 2026 IL Attorney General Democratic Party, being that you are a lawyer who has expressed outrage (rightly) over the regime’s treatment of immigrants.
He does not seem to me like he is completely up to the job, although I like him, largely agree with his policies, and voted for him in 2022.
Also, Democrats in Congress have not demanded that the regime abide by federal law and the United States Constitution as a condition for securing their votes to re-open the federal government.
This is an enormous mistake, IMHO. Yes, demand health care be fully funded, both ACA subsidies and Medicaid (most Democrats have not yet done so with respect to Medicaid). And also demand that the Epstein files be released because it involves powerful people covering up for pedo pervs (I have a hunch Trump is one, FWIW).
But, nothing is as important as defending the rule of law and United States Constitution. If Trump agrees to the demand of Democrats to fund health care and then unlawfully impounds the appropriated monies, what is the point of Congress passing a budget in the first place?
Hence, it is imperative for Democrats to not agree to fund the federal government, even one additional penny beyond what is already law, until there are verifiable enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure that all federal laws are being abided by the regime.
Supporting and defending the United States Constitution is the transcendent national interest.
Real life aka in person is a refreshing renewal in this land of Zoom meetings and Deepfake. When it is done in the company of people one knew in a (previous life, not intended literally here), even better. Age and experience polishes the memories, giving the vessel of our lives a rich patina that we share with people we knew way back when.
I’ll take old age and mischief over those early days. For me, there was something of an air of the idyllic, but without the stability and confidence that I’m fortunate to have earned.
And here I thought I’d get that when I turned 18, alas, it took me much longer.
We are the sum of all those parts, places and people who have brushed against us on our journeys. Your appreciation of that was very moving. Thank you so much.
The only reunion I went to reminded me how many friends I had who did not know me, nor I them. That was enough for me to know you can never go back--a good thing for me to know.
I graduated from high school in 1960, and at our 50th reunion, I shared the feelings you so eloquently expressed. And those feelings and hopes keep me optimistic, too. Thank you.
I, too, went to my 25th HS Reunion ....in 1988, and it was as you described, JOYFUL. I graduated in 1963 from Kaiserslautern American High School in Germany, being a military kid, so our reunion had to be organized and managed, to gather many class years from all over the United States, where members now lived. It was held in Houston, Texas (I was currently living in Delaware, where I had just graduated from Nursing School from U of DE). It was an amazing turnout, with people from 1950s to 1980s, and some of our favorite teachers were there also, like Coach Cosner, who taught me math. It was a 4-day event, with so many different activities, time to talk and reminisce. I left with much joy and hope for the future.
These are different and sad times for our beloved country, but along with you, Qasim, I have hope and optimism, because of who we patriotic Americans are. We must never let free speech go, and the Resistance, because we KNOW who we want to continue to be, the land of the free.
I'm am not optimistic at all.
Please someone press the red buttons and end this dystopia nightmare.
I hear you. And I reflect on the words of James Baldwin.
"I never have been in despair about the world. I’ve been enraged by it. I don’t think I’m in despair. I can’t afford despair. I can’t tell my nephew, my niece. You can’t tell the children there’s no hope."
Beautiful words, true, by Baldwin. Thank you for sharing them.
Qasim,
It’s nice that you had a fun time at your 25th. You don’t seem like the type of guy who got into trouble in high school, though. Maybe you got into good trouble or played hooky from school every once in a while with your friends.
But seriously, I was disappointed that our Attorney General, Kwame Raoul, was caught on his back heel regarding the Trump regime’s illegal and unconstitutional deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago.
He should have had a lawsuit ready to go, like the OR AG did. Maybe you should run against him in the 2026 IL Attorney General Democratic Party, being that you are a lawyer who has expressed outrage (rightly) over the regime’s treatment of immigrants.
He does not seem to me like he is completely up to the job, although I like him, largely agree with his policies, and voted for him in 2022.
Also, Democrats in Congress have not demanded that the regime abide by federal law and the United States Constitution as a condition for securing their votes to re-open the federal government.
This is an enormous mistake, IMHO. Yes, demand health care be fully funded, both ACA subsidies and Medicaid (most Democrats have not yet done so with respect to Medicaid). And also demand that the Epstein files be released because it involves powerful people covering up for pedo pervs (I have a hunch Trump is one, FWIW).
But, nothing is as important as defending the rule of law and United States Constitution. If Trump agrees to the demand of Democrats to fund health care and then unlawfully impounds the appropriated monies, what is the point of Congress passing a budget in the first place?
Hence, it is imperative for Democrats to not agree to fund the federal government, even one additional penny beyond what is already law, until there are verifiable enforcement mechanisms in place to ensure that all federal laws are being abided by the regime.
Supporting and defending the United States Constitution is the transcendent national interest.
Agreed - we need all hands on deck. Raul needs to pick it up. We're already way behind.
Real life aka in person is a refreshing renewal in this land of Zoom meetings and Deepfake. When it is done in the company of people one knew in a (previous life, not intended literally here), even better. Age and experience polishes the memories, giving the vessel of our lives a rich patina that we share with people we knew way back when.
I’ll take old age and mischief over those early days. For me, there was something of an air of the idyllic, but without the stability and confidence that I’m fortunate to have earned.
And here I thought I’d get that when I turned 18, alas, it took me much longer.
Yes! Embracing people in real life felt cathartic, especially after years of COVID isolation.
Lovely reflections, Qasim.
We are the sum of all those parts, places and people who have brushed against us on our journeys. Your appreciation of that was very moving. Thank you so much.
Beautifully written Qasim ✊🏻🇺🇸☮️
It's nice when you reconnect.
The only reunion I went to reminded me how many friends I had who did not know me, nor I them. That was enough for me to know you can never go back--a good thing for me to know.
Beautiful reminiscences, thank you.
Beautiful reflection. Thank you for this offering of optimism.
We are in this together.
Oh how I wish I could spend some days back in the 70’s ( when I graduated) stay hopeful!
Thank you
I graduated from high school in 1960, and at our 50th reunion, I shared the feelings you so eloquently expressed. And those feelings and hopes keep me optimistic, too. Thank you.