| What can we say about life in the hallowed halls of Sandhills since you left us? ("Hallowed halls" sounds silly, but "Hallowed pod" sounds sillier!). Like the life you have now, the life you left is both profoundly changed, and much the same. The lockers are still too small, the lunch period is still too short, the PA system still sounds like it is infested with aliens. Mrs. Rogers still runs the business department, Mr. Gaffney is still waxing history, Mr. Ganoung's band jokes haven't improved any, and Mrs. Simonson is still elbow deep in clay. Mr. Smith is still growling, grumbling, and making kids run, and I'm still pushing books and I haven't changed my hairstyle in 20 years! We are still turning out excellent young adults, with good hearts, good sense, and the ability to work hard for what they want - just like you! Much has changed, of course. I see some changes here - more hair, less hair, different colored hair! Lee had a LOT less hair, but now it's coming back. We're both a little grayer, although I prefer to think of mine as "platinum". Maybe someday I'll be the blond I always wanted to be! We're a step slower, maybe more appreciative of life than we ever were. You all remember Mary Leigh. She has brought enormous changes to our lives. After a high school career spent dating short Mullen wrestlers who came up to her collarbone, she met a 6'4" football player from Minneapolis while at Dana College. She and Ross Jensen were married in 2002, and we are now the proud grandparents of 17-month-old Mary Hannah Taylor Jensen - Gramma's Angel Baby, and Papa's very best medicine. **Grandma Alert, Grandma Alert** I do have pictures. You have been warned. There have been changes at SHS, too. Mrs. Chandler came back after student teaching to teach English, and then Math, and then English and Math. Mr. Ready is married (WOW!) and a principal in Wauneta-Palisade. Mr. Grint is principal in Southern Valley. The Kraus' are at Longview in eastern Nebraska, and little Anthony is going to film school in California! Mr. Lofquist was last seen teaching English in West Point, and running marathons. Word is: he ran in Boston this year. Mr. Roeber is living his heart's dream of teaching at the college level. He teaches at Norfolk Community College - and he's on the road there as much as he was here! The man never stays home. Mrs. Gouldie finally retired, but she subbed so much this last year, we're not sure she's really gone!! Mr. Smith has a little grand-daughter, and has decided that girl babies aren't undesirable after all. We've learned a few things since you've been gone. You've learned that your parents and teachers weren't nearly as dumb as you thought they were 10 years ago, haven't you? Come on, now, admit it!! You've learned that junior high boot camp - otherwise known as 7th and 8th grade Math - made you a better student. You've learned that not everyone grew up with the same values you did - and that most of the values you learned at home were pretty good ones. You've learned about the world and your place in it. You've learned about family, and love, and work, and loss, and life. So have we. We've learned that we are all stronger than we think. Being brave does not mean being unafraid. We are often afraid - just as you are with whatever you're facing. Being brave means doing what you have to do because it has to be done - in spite of being terrified! I tell my speech kids, "Fake it 'til you make it." We stay strong because we would weaken those we love if we weren't. How do we cope? One day at a time. You don't have to be strong and brave for weeks and months and years. You can be strong for today - for the next ten mintues - for the next couple of heartbeats if that's all you can manage. All you can do is the best you can do - and that's pretty darn good! And we have learned, something we really knew already: that we are not alone. If ever I doubted the hand of the Lord in an ordinary person's life, I've seen concrete evidence in the last 8 months. Somehow things happen the way they are suppose to happen. Even the most terrible discoveries have God's hand in them. Just recently, Lee fell and injuried his knee. The pain was severe, and he had a number of tests to figure out what was wrong. Finally, just the other day, they found a small bone tumor in the knee joint. Now, this is NOT great news, but if he had not fallen, and if the tumor had not been found, it would have severely broken his thigh bone as it grew. As it is, radiation can stop this little tumor and he will be able to get around better. In the midst of the dark clouds, little rays of sunshine appear. Take it from us - God's got your back! Lee's illness has taught us about the deep core of love and support that exists in our neighborhood. (And remember - our neighborhood is around 700 square miles, and all or parts of 6 counties.) You and your families, your neighbors, the people you grew up with around here are incredible. Have you learned that yet?? Literally, a day does not go by without a card, a note, a meal, a batch of cookies, a hug, a phone call - something to remind us that we are not alone in all of this. What would Lee want you to remember - beside the FOIL method and the guard-eligible play? How about "L-I-S-T-E-N"!! Always good advice where ever life takes you. And there's always "R-E-A-D" (I guess we haven't been married for 34 years without my influencing him a little!). But mostly, I think we would both like you to remember where you came from. You come from great stock, and a great neighborhood. Remember to pass it on to those around you, and to the next generation, so that Sandhills Soul becomes a state of mind that doesn't depend on where you get your mail. |
| Reunion Banquet Speech writen by Leroy & Mary Lou Miller |
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| Leroy Miller 1947-2005 |
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