I came away from my high school class reunion in August with a profound sense of respect for my former classmates. The respect is for what they have accomplished, what they endured, and who they have become.

It’s been 62 years since we walked across the stage at the Mennonite Educational Institute in Abbotsford to receive our diploma from the principal, Mr. Bill Wiebe. We were young, frisky and idealistic then. Over the intervening years the world has undergone radical change, and so have we. Now our hair is white or grey. In some cases there isn’t a lot of hair remaining. Several individuals walked with a cane or walker. Nineteen former classmates have already made the transition to what is often referred to as “a better place.”

Many of us have some common threads in our history. In most cases our ancestors fled from Ukraine. My early family, and also Linda’s, came to Canada in about 1874. There was a further substantial migration in the 1920’s. Then, when the German Wehrmacht was driven out by the Red Army in World War II, many Mennonites followed the retreating army to Germany. They feared the Bolsheviks even more than the Nazis. From Germany many emigrated to Canada or elsewhere. They spoke mostly German in their homes and churches, in some homes Low German was common. Inspite of this, they didn’t consider themselves German, but rather as Mennonites. Some of us, myself included, didn’t learn English until grade 1. For at least 30 years Linda and I have attended these gatherings every 5 years, although Covid delayed this one.

When we walked into the Azalea room at the Garden Park Tower in Abbotsford, I recognized virtually no one. As we passed a woman sitting alone at a table I stopped to introduce Linda and myself. She said, “I’m Anna.” She had been the class valedictorian. In 62 years I had not seen her at any of the previous reunions. Surprised I said, “Anna! I remember thinking you were one of the prettiest girls in our class.”

I looked around the crowded room, very aware of the excited buzz of conversation as former classmates became joyfully reacquainted. One of the individuals I especially wanted to see was Abe, a friend who had not attended MEI but had married Ann,  a girl from our grade. I asked one of the organizers if Abe was there and she said he wouldn’t be coming. I felt devastated when she added, “he has Parkinsons.”

Many years ago Abe, then well placed in the Provincial Probation Service, had recommended me for a position with the One Way Adventure Foundation, an organization working with young offenders in Surrey and Hedley. Except for his phone call asking me to apply, Linda and I likely would not be living in Hedley now. Fortunately Abe and Ann did show up briefly and I was able to have a short visit with them.

In snatches of conversation with these former classmates I learned that over the years many have experienced significant victories and also disheartening setbacks. My friend Alvin had lost his wife to illness. He has since married Flo. After a few minutes with them I turned to Alvin and said, “you found a good one.”

I was delighted to see Art, a valued friend in the upper grades. He and his wife Marlyce had both trained to become cardiologists and had made numerous trips to impoverished countries like the DCR, Tunisia, Romania, and Serbia. They lectured, consulted, and at times assisted with medical procedures. For about 20 years they have been deeply involved with the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine. In the present conflict the Centre is providing meals, refuge, transportation, hope and other needs.

Many of the classmates have volunteered in various places around the globe, usually in communities where food, clean water, and employment opportunities were scarce. A number served under the auspices of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Canada and abroad. During their working years some served in their church. In retirement they spread their wings, often to serve where it was uncomfortable and at times hazardous. I gathered from the joy in their voices that serving others has given them a great surge of satisfaction and fulfillment. Linda and I consider ourselves blessed to be part of this group of very special people.