Where do I begin??????

Forgive me if this gets kinda rambly...I'll try to keep it to a minimum.

1st off...I should really probably wait to write this when all the emotions of seeing all of you subside...but then again, they may never subside.  WOW...what a trip.  I don't know about you all...but the older I get...the more important ALL of you are to me.

You know, I have never in 30 years attended a reunion until this one...too busy, too self-involved, too, too, too.  What I didn't know all those years was this is what it's all about.
Life, your life goes on...but you need to hang on to those people from your youth.  They are SO IMPORTANT.  They make you feel "young" again...I found myself acting like that high school girl of 30 years ago...forgetting about all the cares of the grown up world...and enjoying great friends.  And it wasn't only me...I saw it in most of you at the reunion.
Hell, I saw it in ALL of you.

I have so many people to thank...
Bill Hawkins, a sweet sweet man, who never gave up on me coming to one of these reunions one of these days, never mind sucking me into the whole process.  You all know...he is the backbone of these things, don't you???????

Bobby Shaw, or Mr. Mayor as we lovingly call him (He will be Mayor one day!!!), who has always been my friend through the years.  (Smooch!) We always managed somehow to bump into each other through the years...reminding each other now and again that there used to be a much simpler, carefree time.

Cindy Crawford...what can I say...like alot of youngsters during the late 60's and early 70's, I met and loved her mother, Beryl.  So I met Cindy through her mother.  And now 30 years later...she is Beryl.  She is a friend, a confidant, a supporter (even when you don't deserve it), a sympathic ear...she is all her mother was and more.

Jeaninne Grayson Marchbanks...an old and dear friend, now back in my life after 30 years, and still the same wonderful, bubbly, warm, caring friend she always was.

To Marsha Carlton Hart, Bob & Jan (Cline) Auld, Jana (Baker) Russell, Vera (Gassaway) Owen, Sarah (Leverett)  Reid,  Patti Ann (Whelchel) Ancel, Mike Whittaker (and he is Mike to me :-)) my sincerest thanks for making me feel part of the gang.

And...
To Becky Cousins...
Becky and I met when she moved to Hobbs in the 7th or 8th grade...I don't remember...but we were the two shortest girls in Highland Junior High School...so a natural bond was formed.  (ok, so she grew taller and I didn't).  Our friendship was the best!  I remember so many good times that have come flooding back since we started this reunion project.  She was once my best friend...and while time and other things we thought were priorities made us drift apart...I have come to realize over the last few months how very important her friendship always was and still is to me.  Becky, You are the BEST.  And I am now in tears writing this...because this girl is such a special person, a friend I don't want to ever lose again.  And to tell the truth...there would have been no reunion if there was no BECKY.
I love you, Bec...You are the GREATEST!

A few special people to thank from the web site....
Mike Cooper (Class of '71) - You made me cry...
Maple Taylor (Class of '70)- You made me think...
and James Shanks (Class of '70)...
What can I say????????  When I would just about think this project was too much to handle
in would come an e-mail from James...he does have an uncanny sense of timing...requesting some more "oldies".  My passion is Music...and James would always, just at the right moment, just at the right time, request some songs for the web site...and always the songs I needed to "pick me up".

And........
To ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!
I started this project never dreaming that it would turn out like it did.  Evidently, alot of you feel the same as I do..."Let's get back to our youth."...and the people who really shaped who we are....The overwhelming response to the website has been a total surprise to me.  And each and every one of you have been a pleasure.  I loved being able to bring old friends together, to knit our classes together again...but I couldn't have done it without you all.

You all made this site possible...
You all deserve the credit...
You all are GREAT.

I have totally enjoyed this website...and continue to enjoy it...It's the most FUN website I have ever done...and I did it out of love...
Love of you all...

and now, I find out you all have paid me????
(shakes her head in disbelief at the kindness you all have shown me)
THANK YOU.
I never expected to be paid for a project that brought me such joy.
You all are unreal...too good to be believed.
I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!

And one more final thanks...to Rich....
Who knew this project was important to me...and let me shirk some of my other duties at TLC Internet Cafe to get this site done.  You truly are "The Love Of My Life".

Now...one more favor...(does it seem like I'm always asking favors of you all?)
At least once a month (calculates 60 months till the next reunion...hmmmmmmm...sixty visits in five years...you can do that!)...check the site for new info....
If anything changes in your life (especially e mail addresses so friends can find you) that you want us to know about...
you know the drill...HIT THE SUBMIT INFO BUTTON.

We truly can make the next reunion...just a "seeing each other" event...if we keep this web site alive.  There won't be any catching up...or reacquainting if we make this web site a place to "know and love each other."

Good Life...Good Fortune to You All.

I love you guys!!!!!

Rhonda (Whitt) Hamilton

PS...People have asked me what the highlights and pitfalls of this website and reunion have been....well...........

#1 PITFALL...I really really hated doing the "We Remember" section.  Not just because it included my ex-husband, Jim Veteto, who we all missed dearly at the reunion (he always was the life of the party)...but because it emphasized the fact...that "Tomorrow May Never Come" for us...So....Hold on to what's important...tell those close to you each and every day how very important they are to you and how much you love them.

#1 HIGHLIGHT...:-)))))))))))'s smiles big smiles....I know, Bec...you think it was when Randall Pugh kissed me on the top of my head (which, by the way...I may never wash my hair again!), but it was Saturday Nite...dancing with you know who.

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