On a day overshadowed by tragedy in the U.S., it's hard to think about much else. Our family was fortunate to spend a few hours surrounded by friends, relatives and wider community as Dad was inducted posthumously into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame. He would have been so touched by this honour. It's bittersweet but we're very proud.
As Mom sat down after accepting the award on Dad's behalf, a group of his Aggie classmates from the University of Guelph's Ontario Agricultural College Class of '55 gave their class cheer from the back of the crowded hall. Both Mom and Dad have attended or hosted annual reunions for their respective classes at U of G for the past 61 years. They went to alumni curling bonspiels, banquets and cottage weekends. Unlike my university class, many members of their classes have stayed in touch for their entire lives - without the help of Facebook or email for the first four decades. Even Dad's roommate from residence was with us today.
I asked some of Dad's classmates to do the class cheer for me on video (I missed the first part). I imagined Dad there with them, heartily shouting the words they learned together in their late teens in 1951. For a moment, I could see the mischievous young men still hiding within these distinguished gentlemen with their grey hair, wrinkles and aching joints. Imagine what it would be like to have 65-year-old friendships! Friendships that still matter even after someone is gone. It was beautiful.