Many of my friends call me up wanting to know about specific oilfield equipment or terms. I can’t always answer their questions. But, it gets people to call me and that is a good thing.

I recently saw an episode of Modern Marvels called “Secrets of Oil.” It was fantastic. It truly underscores the importance of petroleum in our lives. It is recommended viewing for anyone who wants to learn. The link above and the linked image will take you to a place to purchase the video. If you don’t want to do that, the History Channel runs it periodically. Your library may have it also.

I was asked to write something to honor our classmates that have passed away. Then read it at the reunion. It was a tough piece of homework. It turns out that I didn’t read it but it makes for good blogfodder.
At first I thought I should say something nice about each of them. I couldn’t do it. I didn’t even know some of them. Others I never said a kind word to.

So, I thought I might talk about the ones I did know. I could talk about how Brad was so tough that he played football with a broken leg. I could talk about how Fred made me laugh even when it was inappropriate. I could talk about how Ricky made fun of school custodians, then became one and was overwhelmingly happy with his job. I could talk about how Janice was at the last reunion but not at this one. I could talk about how Robert went to college with me. He was in his seat on Tuesday but on Wednesday it was empty. Then I realized all of that sucked and I left it all out.

I was at a complete loss until the Friday night mixer for the reunion. There I saw my classmates loving each other. Everywhere I looked, there was hugging, kissing and reminiscing. I then realized exactly what to write.

The way to honor our classmates that passed away is to remember them fondly in word and thought. The way to honor them is to remember that their list will get longer with time.

It is too late to love on those classmates. But it is not too late to love on the ones that have not yet made the list. Year by year that list will grow until it overcomes us all. The best we can do is know and love each other now. We must share those hugs, kisses and kind words now. Then it wont hurt so much when we see those names on the list.

Many of you recognize my beautiful wife. The lovely lady beside her has been my friend since kindergarten. It is not unusual to see these two smiling together. However, this was a special time.

My Class reunion was this weekend.

It was a time for dancing.

It was a time for finding long lost friends.

It was a time to squeeze into old outfits.

It was a wonderful time to reduce thousands of miles to mere inches.

It was one of those times that remind you about what is important in life. It was full of laughter, tears, love and reminiscing.

And we even washed the dishes together.

I have spent alot less time visiting all of your blogs lately.  My posts have slowed down too.

Well there are some reasons for that.  Yes, I am trying to move many miles away into a house that has been trashed.  Yes, I am changing jobs.  Yes, I have had a bad case of writer’s block.  But I have to admit one major distraction.  I have spent way too much time on my 20 year high school reunion website.  Between the endless thread that is the guestbook and the email traffic, I can’t find a minute anymore.  It is horribly addictive.

I did write this little poem that I thought some of you might enjoy.

I’m having a Highschool reunion this year.

One of my fantastic classmates put up a reunion web site.  We have posted pictures and it is great to see those.  But the biggest hit on that site is the guest book.

See, the message boards have not really taken off but everybody is using the guest book like a message board.  It is a blast!

I grew up with truly remarkable people.  I’m honored to be associated with them.  They have a way of making things fun.

Not everybody gets to have a class like mine.  Knowing them has made me a very rich man.

Lord, thank you for my wonderful friends.  I treasure them, every one.