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We swing back and forth from the light hearted to the heaviness of endless chores.
Today was for the light hearted. Almost sandwiched away in the folds of my brain were the lovely times we enjoyed in springtime on Chilocco Campus. Here we were again, older, more tired, grasping and hanging on to any little shred of hope to be found.
Like a tattered old bag lady who saw another time when she was a queen was a feeling to arise from the grounds of that once idyllic space. Nevertheless; the feeling of grandeur cannot be taken away, even if the realization that this is the final stages of her demise.
To block off the old buildings and leave them as a stone monument for a drive through tourist attraction is something I cannot push through. There was an expensive study only to be told negative things: too big, too old, too dangerous,
too incredibly expensive to renovate and that is where it ended. I know windows and doors can be sealed but that is met with negative feedback. And so, we shed a
tear even as the talk also goes to the dwindling of alumni, more rapidly now as time goes along.
For today, we laughed, ate together, remembered good times, planted some bulbs to bloom for the reunion this June 7, 8, 9, 2012, when our classes will return, maybe for the last time. May they pick up the same inspiration, love, protection we once knew when times were easier and in our youth we believed nothing could stop or step on the dreams and goodness of our future lives.
Visiting with Fred Underwood and wife Judy was wonderful. He studied carpentry at Chilocco, graduated in 1948. His carpentry skills allowed him to build his own home, “that goes on and on,” according to Judy. They shared the wonderful things the Chickasaw tribe is doing under a very fine government with the same governor for over 20 years. I found this all to be almost breathtaking.
What a fantastic ending to the long chain of events from days gone by when Mother fought so hard for changes.
Jim Baker, the superintendent of the last four years of Chilocco and national president conducted the brain storming session after the wonderful meal he brought. Some good points were brought forth and he will put them on the agenda at the national meeting. This was a bit of hope, too.
The old administration building is totally re-done and is lovely with white trim on the door and window frames. A rich dark green was on the walls and goes to my love of all things of that genre.
Rallf, a local reporter, Ponca City News, encouraged us to visit with Beverly Bryant about getting something on the Associated Press to bring students from all over, Hawaii to Alaska, Florida and California back home once more to dance with the lady, Chilocco, who so loved them in another time.
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