Roman's reminder

I eventually want to reminisce more about the reunion and its influence in my life, but for now I will content myself with a link to Roman's excellent address to the assembly that evening. Ave did teach me that it's all about Love. And, of course, Deus Charitas Est--the Love that moves the sun and other stars.

Some of the best years of our lives . . .

I was afraid that Ave would go out not with a bang, but with a whimper. Not so, world, not so!
I have just finished with three days of the best parties I have ever attended. Everything that has ever been Ave was there, only magnified and better than ever. I was priviledged to belong to the class that knew every student that ever attended or graduated from AMC, short a bare handful that came and left before 2001. As children of the same Alma Mater, all "born" within such a few short years of each other, the reunion was true to its name, and it was a joy to see so many people who have been a part of my life and share many of my same loves and memories. The evening was not sad, as I had expected it to be--I was so happy to see each and all of these members of my family. It was one of those evenings when you know, by the very rightness of the place you are in and the people you are with, that for at least this brief moment all is right with the world. Although I had not seen many of those people in years or at least one, they belonged in my life and it was good to see them there again and to speak with them about those things that are important. It was just GOOD to see them.
And to dance.
Dancing has always been an important part of Ave--especially swing dancing. Somehow, however, swing dancing has never been a main music choice at school-sponsored events. Until now. After the tremendous speeches (both excellent in theatrics--thank you, Dr. Russell--and in elements and style--hats off to valedictorian Roman yet again for a well-written speech--) the back wall of the room was opened up to reveal a dance floor and a big band, awaiting our dancing toes! Ave managed to finish with the evening that should always have been--there was good food, good drinks, good company, good conversation, good music (over which you could still hear to talk), and good dancing. And, of course, we all know how important an attribute Good is.
The evening finished with another extreme in company, conversation, drinks, music, and atmosphere at Paul's. And Sunday followed with an afternoon of croquet (which for the longest time I insisted was the proper occupation for Sunday afternoons on campus), bocce ball, steaks grilled to the juiciest medium rare and eaten in the back yard with red wine and excellent salads, and movies watched projected onto the back of the house while curling up in blankets next to an outdoor fire under the light of the moon.
The only regret was that it was so short--the festivities and the company demanded at least a fortnight to do them justice and were repeatedly interrupted by sad packing-ups and drivings to the airport.
Long may Ave live, and may we one day look back on these days and laugh at them as "the time we thought Ave had died." Remember--I'm not dead yet!