Funerals, Reunion and a Wedding; Oh My!

The last time I wrote a column, I shared about my experiences trying to lose weight. It was all in preparation for this week.

My friends and I have been planning our 25th  Bowie High School class of 1986 reunion which was the end of July. We had a happy hour on Friday night with a bunch of Bowie grads from different years and the big evening was Saturday night in Annapolis.

It is always fun to reminisce with old friends. I especially enjoy seeing friends from my elementary school. To think we have known each other since we were five years old. It is fun when my kids hang out in houses that my old friends lived in so many years ago. I love driving around town with floods of memories going through my head of all my friends’ old houses and the fun things we did.

It is hard to get excited when in the midst of all this fun planning; a wonderful friend and mentor Kathy Wells Farley died a tragic death. She left behind a legacy in her family and grandchildren that will affect Bowie forever.

During her wake I was again in awe of Bowie people (and many others) who traveled to pay their respects and pay tribute to this woman and all she has shared with those she came in contact with. Beall Funeral home on Rt. 3 has never seen such a crowd. As cars overflowed into the highway and people crowded in the funeral home I got to see friends from elementary school and reminisce. It was so inspiring to see so many people be touched by one person, it made you wonder if your life is as meaningful and life changing to others as hers.

 Again I can’t help but sing the praises of Bowie. The way everyone supports each other through prayers, meals, and just being there, is commendable. I was proud to still live here and l heard many share that they missed Bowie and never have seen a town like it.

On another sad note, I attended a wake for Mr. Alan Jones, a Bowie resident who battled cancer for almost a year. His funeral was moving especially how his son shared the wisdom his father has passed on to all who came in contact with him.

This is one of the bitter sweet parts of living in Bowie my entire life. To see my friend’s parents getting sick and attending funerals of so many Bowie heroes.  Some of my kids came with me yesterday to Crofton Rehabilitation Center to visit one of my kindergarten buddies dad who was there. 

It is so important to keep in touch with people from our past. It is healing and rejuvenating to reconnect with people who shared in our formative years. Facebook has been a positive tool for keeping in touch. I have had a blast seeing old pictures from “You know you're from Bowie, MD if you remember...” page. I especially enjoyed the old videos from Bowie High and saw my sister and her friends from Class of 1979 being silly. I also loved the photos of Bowie people lining up on opening day for the Sussex Lane model homes.    

After the reunion I started finalizing wedding plans for my oldest daughter who gets married on Aug 13th. She is the first wedding in the family and we are all so excited with all the plans and preparation. Dresses and shoes line my bedroom and living room, in hopes that we won’t lose anything before the big day. Eight suits for my husband and seven boys, all the way down to the one year old who will be sporting purple ties with their black suits.

My two older daughters are bridesmaids and the two little girls will be flower girls. Than a week after the wedding we will have another celebration with friends to welcome home the couple from their honeymoon. Then I get the exciting task of watching my daughter and her new wonderful husband turn their foreclosure, right here in Bowie, into their first home.

So yes, all this dieting and exercise has been well worth the 35 pounds I lost to celebrate with her. I can only hope that I will continue to feel great and keep off the weight. Who knows I am sure I got many  more weddings in my future.