Friday, November 14, 2014

OUR REUNION WEEKEND

While we were in Chicago for our class reunion which was awesome we also drove around past our old house, special monuments and the houses we grew up in. I also told Mark that we had to try to go to the Brookfield Zoo while in town. (don't forget to click on the photos to see them better)
We of course also ate our favorites including Pizza and Italian Beef w/Sausage combo sandwiches. I was lucky enough to finally have my very favorite Barone's Pizza in Downers Grove, IL. The last time I had it was over 13 years ago and we shared this evening with my girlfriend Sherry and her husband Howard. It was a nice evening reminiscing. 
Actually it was 13th years with Sherry and Howard when I last had Barone's. I was in town attending the funeral for our best friends young son. Now since I mentioned this I will also say that we went to the cemetery to visit their sons grave which Mark hadn't seen yet and we also visited my mothers while in town.  

This was our visit of the High School we attended which is located behind the back entrance to the Brookfield Zoo. It was fun to see that the gymnasium was exactly the same and walking down the hallways was so much fun. 

That is me in front of my locker. It is a new locker but same spot. Right across the way was the water fountain which I had to have a picture of. There was a time between classes that Mark and I would pass each other there. 

We were not actually dating but there was some flirting going on. Can you believe the new water fountain they installed now has a place to fill your water bottles!!!

We ended up being able to go to the zoo for a few hours on Saturday. We spent about 3 hours walking around visiting our favorites. It was also raining on and off but thankfully it was real heavy rain.
I do have a story to share about this fountain. Sometimes things happen that you know are signs from God. I mentioned our friends who lost their son, these were our very best couple friends who we were with all the time. 

After I took that picture I walked up to look at the fountain and wouldn't know that the song "Wind Beneath my Wings" started playing and I just started bawling. 

That was the song the my friend Diane had them play at his funeral. I had sent her a music box with that song after I had returned home and that is when I put in a handkerchief and said "This is for your tears" and that is what inspired my ministry years later. 
This bear was behind glass. You can see it was raining.....
 The Polar Bear was behind glass too! 
 Some miscellaneous shots.....
 Hello....
 I just had this one put on canvas for my wall. 
 Mama cleaning her baby.....
 Group shot.....







This guy was not happy.....

 Mama and baby....



17 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

a sweet moment of remembrance. love that you found your locker spot. :) the zoo animals look well tended.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

The zoo looks incredible. Love the sweet monkey shots.

Karen Mortensen said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time. That fountain story was amazing.

Stephanie said...

What a truly lovely weekend! I loved seeing the houses you grew up in and your lockers and school!

MadSnapper said...

i like the story of the song playing and i can't believe you remember where your locker was. it has been 52 years since i left my high school and i can't remember where even my classes were.. you have a good memory.. you know i loved ALL the zoo critters.

Mara said...

Oh, it's a long time since I last went to the zoo! I haven't been to one since moving to Norway.

We didn't have lockers at all. Just find a coathanger somewhere and take your bag into class. Nowadays they do though. Considered safer and such...

Little Penpen said...

Sweet pic's! So glad you were able to go and catch up with everyone. I love the locker picture, too.

Nonnie said...

What a wonderful weekend filled with such great memories. I love your pics and that you found your locker. I also like that you shared about the flirting. The pictures are really good and I love the giraffe pics. Pizza. I want some like that.

kc bob said...

Love the pics Debby.

betty said...

You got some great pictures of the zoo and the animals, Debby! Glad you got to spend some time there.

That is interesting about the fountain at school now having the capabilities of filling up water bottles, times have indeed changed!

How sweet hearing that song at that special place! What a great ministry that was established from a tragedy.

betty

Terri D said...

Thank you for sharing such tender memories, and for taking us along on your reunion trip. I enjoyed all the photos, and you really got some great animal shots at the zoo.

Chatty Crone said...

Those photos and memories were awesome - it really makes me miss my home of Chicago.

countrynmore said...

Thank you for sharing your reunion and your travels. I love the pictures and the story behind the water fountain.

ImagesByCW | OceanDreamIllustration said...

Walking down memory lane... not always easy or enjoyable, so I am glad to see that your journey seems to have been wonderful. The fact that you found and a pic of your old locker - amazing :)

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

What a fun and exciting day. So great that you went home for the reunion and were able to reconnect with those that meant so much to you at that time.

Great Zoo shots. That is a collection of animals I have yet to see.

I can't find my blog said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I love the very first house picture... the tudor. Was that yours or Mark's?

Michelle said...

That guy who is not happy is really funny.
Maybe if he knew how funny he looks he would smile. :)

Thanks for the pictures.
I love giraffes.
Isn't it fun to reminisce?

xoxo

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