You know an event is going to be something special when a formed committee meets for over a year to prepare for it.  You know an event is going to be something unique when it includes a ten year span of people to create it.  You know an event was a success when those same people talk about it for days afterward and will continue to talk about it for months to come; maybe even until the next such one occurs.  Ah the Franklin/Haden High School Mega Reunion.   We all imagined who we might see and what changes that passing time might have brought to each and every one.  We were not to be disappointed.

Franklin, like so many small American cities, is a close knit community, even with all of its diversity.  One thing that has always been in the center of most gatherings, both social and political, is the paper mill.  Union Bag Camp or, International Paper as it has been of late, offered the city not only jobs to keep prosperity in the area but always had been one of if not the biggest contributor to any event.  No one and that means no one, ever lived in the Franklin/Southampton area without being affected in one way or another by the paper mill.  Most know the familiar saying, “What’s that awful smell?  Why, it’s the smell of money!”  It was a profound moment I am sure for many returning FHS/HHS alumni to drive into the area and not see on the not so distant horizon the smoke coming from the towering stacks of the paper mill.  That was not the only noticeable difference.  To me this was reflected the first evening of our reunion as we gathered at Fred’s Restaurant to meet and greet in the clear, clean, and odorless air all around.

As darkness settled over the gradually increasing crowd one sound was heard throughout; on the patio, on Main Street and inside Fred’s.  It became, to a lot of us, the mega sound of the Mega Reunion; the squealing laughter of one of our group catching that first glimpse of a friend not seen in, and this is no exaggeration, forty years.  This sound was coming from the ladies but there was a rising crescendo of voices both male and female as we happily went about the business of reacquainting with friends, classmates and teachers.  And, let us not forget the sounds coming from the band inside; Hogbear.  Playing music that magically took all of us back to not only the Seventies, but to many other memorable parties and late nights packed like sardines into the very same place, Fred’s.  As the night moved along we danced almost as one on the limited space of the dance-floor, some taking their moves onto the patio and others all over the dining-room as the band played on.  Another note-worthy recollection that must be mentioned was the “conversations in the ladies room”.  There were at least four or five women waiting to use the facilities each time I visited that particular spot and each and every time there was one or two very excited conversations going on.  As the night went on the bathroom became more than a place of convenience but a spot to share memories.

It seems with the passing of the years that the more things change the more they stay the same.  The Mega Reunion began like an opening night in Hollywood or New York City with the flashing of camera lights, lines of guests waiting to check in and a white limousine pulling up letting out a group of our very own FHS stars.  The crowd grew ever larger and ever louder as one by one we managed or tried to manage, to see the friends of our past, looking through the crowd, not recognizing all the faces.  When we did find that particular person that we remembered from Biology or Spanish class, we realized that they had not gotten any older.  There were similar lines spoken by almost every soul attending this Mega Reunion both nights. We look good!  We haven’t changed a bit!   Nobody looks old like we always thought old would look!  I would say this was only in our imagination, but it really was true.  We (all) looked good and many just like we had always remembered! Are we all ageless?  Maybe just as beauty, it is simply in the eye of the beholder.
 

As we all prepared for the weekend many of us, the women anyway, wondered what the dress code would be.  It was determined there was no dress code, just wear whatever made you comfortable.  It was, for both nights, a wonderful array of colors and styles, and whether you dressed up or dressed down, we each and everyone stayed true to our individual tastes as we always have.  Speaking of dressing up, what a truly lovely outfit our committee hung upon the Workforce Center.  It was splendidly arrayed with balloons of our signature colors of blue and gold, tables sprinkled with glitter and pictures flashing upon the screens of all our by-gone days from both schools along with tables in the main hallway arrayed with clippings from The Tidewater News, the Yearbooks and the Bronco Bulletin.

How many stories were told of school days, how many memories of dances, football games, baseball and basketball championships, and classrooms filled with learning and laughter?  We talked of families, past and present, children, and yes grandchildren.  Shared dreams that had come true for some and for many that had changed over the years but never the less we proudly proclaimed.  Mainly this time for myself gave way to a reflection of the moving time that at once seemed so long ago yet so close.

Proudly for the class of 1975 they had the largest number in attendance.  As days gone by this class, my class always seemed to come in first whatever we did.  Looking back we remember the Junior/Senior Girls Football game which we won both years, the school spirit from this class could never be topped and friendships never be ended.  Sadly, this class of 1975 had the most deceased members.  It was a poignant moment for many as we moved along the Memorial in the hallway of the Workforce Center, where the Senior portraits of those lost were displayed.  Here our voices took on a new note, a quiet and sad reverberation echoing the now silent voices.  They are missed. 

This reunion was truly a tribute to a group of people, a group spanning that ten year period, brought together, some for the first time, all sharing one common bond.  A mutual love and respect for their alma-motto, Franklin High School/Hayden High School, and the city of Franklin.  We may joke now as one of my own friends and I did, that we will come together again even if we have to hold onto our canes and walkers, but we are sincere in that belief we will come together again.  I have a good feeling that when this happens, in the not so distant future, we will once more share the lovely memories that light the corners of our minds.

    “Starlight!  Starlight!” called Gabriel.  “That is one angel who is always anywhere but where I need her to be,” he thought to himself.  Gabriel was the greatest of all the angels in Heaven and it was his job to make sure that all the other angels were doing what God had created them for.  Some God chose for singing, they were called the heavenly host, others were picked to be guardian angels and were very special indeed, and the thousands of other angels had positions of all sorts of different responsibilities.  All of His angels were important and very special to him, God loved them all the same, no matter what their job, but as well He expected that each of them would obey Him as they went about doing their duties. Starlight, as her name hinted, was one of those chosen to be God’s angels of the creation.   Gabriel shouted out one last time for the missing Starlight, finally giving up his search, for now.

    “Where could it be?” asked Starlight for the hundredth time.  “Can you not remember if you brought the scroll into the garden?” 

Sunday’s face wore an expression of such sadness it seemed she might cry.  “No, no I told you!  I cannot remember.  The last time I saw the scroll was when Zachary placed it on the golden bench after he finished reading it.”

 Starlight was on her hands and knees, wings jutting upward, as she peeked underneath a hydrangea bush.  Standing up she hit her halo against a branch and knocked it askew.  “Watch it,” said Sunday, and reaching over she straightened her friend’s golden halo so it once again balanced over her head.  “I know!” cried Starlight.  “Let’s go ask Glory and Halley.  Maybe they have seen it.”  Sunday put her arm through her friend’s and together they left the garden where they had searched from top to bottom for the scroll.

    “La, La, La,” sang Halley.  “Me, Me, Me,” answered Glory as the two little angels practiced alone in their hall.  They constantly sang in hopes that someday they would join the angelic host choir, but for now they could only entertain themselves.  A knock at their door stopped the rehearsal as Glory ran lightly over to answer it.  Upon opening the door she discovered two of their favorite angel friends, Starlight and Sunday, and they both looked very unhappy.  “What is wrong, has something happened?” Glory asked. 

Halley joined her at the door saying, “Come in and let’s see if there is anything we can do to help you.” 

As Sunday fought off her tears, Starlight explained.  “God gave Sunday the scroll for the Great Creation, and she has misplaced it.  We have looked everywhere for it, but it is nowhere to be found.”  Sunday sniffed loudly as Glory and Halley made a quick decision.  They would all go and look for the scroll together. 

    Gabriel had searched every place that he thought Starlight might have gone.  Now, approaching the Hall of Scrolls, he saw Zachary and Alexander with their heads together whispering quietly.  When they saw him, they suddenly stopped their conversation, and if Gabriel had not known them both so well, he would have thought they looked guilty about something.  “Have either of you seen Starlight?” Gabriel asked.  “I have been looking for her all day.  Our Lord needs her to practice her part in the great Creation.”  Zachary swallowed nervously.  He knew where Starlight was, and he knew that he should tell Gabriel, but he did not want to snitch on his little friend, actually on two of his friends, for he knew what Gabriel did not.  Starlight and Sunday were together, searching for the scroll that he had lost.

    Starlight stuck her arm down into the fountain as far as she could; the water was freezing so that her teeth trembled.  “Can you feel it?” asked Sunday.  “Please tell me that you feel it!” 

Glory and Halley had looked under every bush, every bench and in every open space in the garden.  “I just don’t think it is here,” said Starlight, as she pulled her arm out of the fountain, empty-handed.  “We have been over this garden twice now; I cannot believe we have missed it.” 

Sunday hung her head, tears dropping hotly onto her clasped hands.  “Stop it now,” said Glory.  “Yes, don’t give up hope,” put in Halley.  “We know all about getting into trouble.  Haven’t we been in our own many times?”

 It was then they heard the booming voice of Gabriel.  “Starlight!  Where are you?”  The four little angels spread out over the garden, hiding behind bushes and scrambling to get under benches.  Starlight jumped into the fountain and held her breath.

    “I give up!” exclaimed Gabriel.  “I am just going to have to tell the Lord that I have lost Starlight.  Without her, the great Creation will have to be put on hold.”  Giving the garden one last look, Gabriel left, muttering to himself, “The Lord already knows.  I just hope He is not as disappointed as I am.”

The huge angel of the Lord left the garden and slowly, making sure the coast was clear, the four little angels all came out of their hiding places, heads hung, with Starlight’s gown dripping wet.  “We cannot disappoint our Lord!” cried Sunday.  “Starlight, you must go on, find Gabriel and let the great Creation take place.  Glory, you and Halley must go too, so you do not get in any more trouble because of me!”  

Starlight knew that what her friend said was true.  “I will go find Gabriel now, but please do not give up hope.  We will find the scroll.  I just know we will.”

    Alexander shook his head slowly in answer to Gabriel’s question.  “I do not know what happened to the scroll, Gabriel.  Zachary was looking at it one moment, he put it down and the next thing we knew it was gone.” 

Gabriel frowned.  “So, Sunday believes that she was the one who lost the scroll for the great Creation, and now her and Starlight are looking everywhere for it.  Shame on you Zachary!”

  Zachary answered, “In my defense Gabriel, the angels would not listen when I tried to tell them.  They rushed out of here so fast, I never got the chance.  I only told Alexander so he could help me go through all the trunks in the Hall of Scrolls, hoping we would find it before our Lord needed it.” 

Gabriel knew that they were being honest, but part of his job was to see that at all times, God’s angels were doing their very best in whatever job that He had given them.  Zachary’s job was keeper of the scrolls, with Alexander as his assistant.  Now Gabriel said, “God knows everything that is happening, and has it all in His control.  These young angels need to learn to trust in Him.”  That said Gabriel left the Hall of Scrolls, to once again see if he could find Starlight.

    Sunday ran all the way from the garden to the Hall of Scrolls, her little legs going faster than ever before.  As she ran she passed Gabriel who barely noticed her he was searching so intently for Starlight.  When the angel reached the hall, she saw that her two older friends were still looking for the scroll.  Zachary looked up from over the pile of scrolls he had been going through to see Sunday, head down, coming into the hall.  “Sunday, where have you been?”  Zachary cried.  “We have been so worried about you!” 

Alexander rushed over and put his arm around her, explaining, “Honey, you must not blame yourself.  You did not lose the scroll, we did!” 

Sunday sighed, “But it was my job to take care of the scroll for the Great Creation, and so it is my fault if it is lost.”  No matter what the two older angels said, Sunday was sure it was a mistake that she would have to answer for.

    Gabriel saw Starlight coming towards him, her head bowed as if in disappointment.  “So, there you are.  You know I have been looking everywhere for you,” Gabriel said to her. 

Starlight looked up at him with a frown.  “Yes sir, I did know.  I had to help Sunday look for her scroll and I am sorry that I put you through so much trouble.” 

As she talked Gabriel noticed that something was not quite right.  Something was missing, and this time it was not a scroll.  It was Starlight’s halo.  “Starlight!  Where is your halo?” Gabriel exclaimed. 

Reaching up with both of her hands she realized that he was right, her halo was gone.

    Pacing up and down the Great Hall, Starlight and Sunday flinched at every sound, jumped at every little noise.  “What do you think will happen?” Sunday asked her friend.  “You are missing your halo, I am missing the scroll of creation; we are certainly in the biggest trouble of all eternity.”

 Starlight frowned back at her friend.  “Surely, God will understand and forgive us.  I think He even knows where our missing things are.”

 Sunday wished she could be as positive as Starlight.  “But how will He have the Great Creation without the light from your halo, and without the words from His scroll?”

 Just then Gabriel came out of the Great Hall and motioned for the two little angels to come to him.  Slowly they crossed the hall, heads bowed, and one halo missing. “The Lord has instructed me to tell you that you are to go to the garden, where you Starlight hid in the fountain and where you Sunday have searched so diligently for a scroll that you were unable to find.”  Gabriel stood very still, his wings straight and arched perfectly, while scowling down at the two much smaller angels. 

“Yes sir!” they cried together.  Starlight took Sunday by the hand and together they ran out of the Great Hall and towards the garden. 

Gabriel allowed himself a small smile as he watched them go.  “God will deal justly with them, and they will learn a great lesson,” the impressive angel said to an empty hall.

    The garden was quiet when Starlight and Sunday rushed in, both stumbling as they entered to find they were completely alone.  “What should we do now?” asked Sunday. 

Starlight stood still a moment, scratching her head and truly missing her halo.  “Well, Gabriel said to come here, but he did not tell us what to do.  So, I guess we should just wait and see if anything happens.” 

Sunday agreed and took a deep breath.  “Starlight,” she asked.  “Do you see that glow coming from the fountain?”  Starlight indeed had seen the light at the very same instant as her friend.  Hurrying over to the fountain she looked deeply into the flowing waters and there, to the surprise and joy of them both lay Starlight’s halo.

 “It must have come off when I was hiding from Gabriel.”  Starlight reached her hand deeply into the fountain and pulled out her golden halo.  She carefully dried if off with her gown and slipped it over her head, back onto its rightful place.  A strange thing happened when she let go of the halo; it let off such a great light that the two little angels had to cover their eyes from the great reflection.  In the next moment Sunday, in the bright light released by Starlight’s halo, saw an image in the water of the great scroll that had been lost all this time.  The scroll was under a bench in the Hall of Scrolls, where it had rolled after Zachary had laid it down.  Excited, Sunday jumped up and down and shouted out triumphantly to her friend Starlight who herself was all aglow with joy. 

     A loud but joyful sound echoed throughout the garden as suddenly the Great Creation began.   Gabriel entered the garden to find both angels with their hands joined, dancing and singing praise to God who had not only shown them where to find their lost possessions, but had also included them in the Great Creation.  Images flashed throughout Heaven as the Great Creation Scroll unrolled before all the angels and as it opened, Starlight’s halo put off such a great light that all of the newly created Earth shown with abundant radiance.  All of the angels, including Starlight, Sunday and Gabriel, bowed down as they saw God’s hand working to create the new universe, with worlds that they had never imagined. 

    Gabriel cleared his throat and tried not to smile as he sternly explained to Starlight and Sunday that God had special instructions for them and that they were to wait here in the Great Hall until they understood what was expected of them.  Starlight glanced over at her friend Sunday and winked.  They knew that God was an awesome and fair.  Just look at the role that He had given to them during the Great Creation; how could they doubt that God had only great and glorious things for them.  What seemed like hours, but was really only just a few moments, passed slowly before Gabriel came back into the hall with a scroll from which he read to them; a proclamation from their Lord.  He read that God had chosen Starlight to continue her role in shining light to the world whenever it would be in need; and He realized that this would be often and therefore a very important role for her.  As for Sunday, she would be next in line to be keeper of the scrolls, another worthy responsibility to be sure, and one that she would learn as apprentice to Zachary and Alexander.  There was another important message on the scroll from God, and this one was for Sunday too.  In as much that she and Starlight had caused such a commotion on this day in eternity, and God knew after His busy work during the Great Creation that He would like to have a day of rest; God had decided, in His infinite wisdom to name the first day of the week in honor of Sunday; forever now to be a day of rest for those who were born of the Great Creation.