The Chronicle
Adventures Through Aging
September 1, 2023
By Pat Edwards
Since I wrote my last column, I have been contacted by some who have been following Jim’s and my adventures through aging in The Chronicle. Their words of encouragement and regret that I will no longer be writing a weekly column, touched me deeply. I told each of them that I will continue to try to share pieces of our journey as often as I can, but that I’m no longer able to do it on a regular basis. Fortunately, last week provided me a chance to write this, another entry for my “journal.”
Jim received a phone call about two weeks ago from a classmate from his Springfield High School 1958 graduating class. She told him she was calling because he had not responded to his invitation to their get-together/reunion to be held the following week, and they hoped he would be able to attend. Neither of us remembered receiving an invitation… in fact, I had signed up to spend the day at the Oregon Author’s table at the Oregon State Fair in Salem that day and Jim was planning to stay home. The 65th class reunion was to be held at noon at the beautiful home of Larry and Judy Smith and Jim wanted badly to attend.
Our daughters offered to take him to the reunion so that I could participate in my plans, but after an overnight reflection, I knew that my place was with him. I contacted the organizer of the author event and asked to be released from my place at the table. I got a stern lecture about keeping my commitments in the future, but I knew that I had made the right choice. Jim was thrilled that I would be able to take him, and I knew that I would enjoy myself, too, even though I had not attended Springfield High. I had been a sophomore at Lebanon High School the year he graduated—5 years before we were to meet—and I didn’t know many of his classmates well.
Jim’s graduating class numbered 309, but time has taken its toll and there were perhaps 50 or so (counting spouses) in attendance at the reunion. I enjoyed sitting back and listening to the laughter and stories being told around the shaded hillside lawn of the Smith’s country home.
Springfield High School’s 1958 65th Reunion
As a majestic eagle peacefully soared above, and the neighbor’s herd of beautiful mules and horses lazed in the shade of their pasture across the fence, I was able to watch as the aches and pains of the present faded away into the pleasant memories of youth. I listened to the often-told stories of the antics of Jim and some of his fellow athlete-friends (Rick Herman, Glen Bogart and Wally Knecht) that took place before and after graduation—the basketball and football games they frequently won through their high school careers, their district championships, the 1958 Oregon state tournament games for both sports, the 3 years that Rick and Jim spent together in the U.S. Army in Germany after enlisting under the “Buddy Plan” right after graduation, and where their lives have taken each of them through the years since.
Rick Herman
I also had a chance to visit with some of the other wives and Jim’s female classmates to reacquaint with them after the many years since I had seen them last. I was even surprised to be approached by several at the reunion who had been following our adventures in the pages of The Chronicle.
Even if I’m not invited back to Oregon Author events next year, I will never regret making the choice I did. Jim and I have both invested a lot into our 59-year marriage, and putting priorities on our family and each other has paid big dividends. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve lived comfortable, practical lives, supporting each other through the ups and downs of life, and now, especially, is where we can demonstrate the vows we took so long ago:
All Things Lorane 
What a beautiful entry, once again!! Happy birthday to Jim! Sure wish we lived closer ♥️🙏🎂🥳🎉
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