10/25/2022
L.D. Bell 1987 Class Motto: The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
We knew what we were doing when we chose that motto 35 years ago – it is a timeless interpretation of our class and the strength we have needed to get to where we are today. There was a point in time this weekend when you could not pull me out of the bubble of what was 1987. What a special time in our lives where time was suspended between youth and adulthood. 1987-where it took us a good solid hour to get ready and we used caustic chemicals to make our hair stand at attention, and cigarette lighters to melt our eyeliner pencils so we could smudge thick circles around our eyes. We did not care about political affiliation, there was no stress of STAAR tests, or if the economy was going to be dependent on global unrest. It was the late 80’s and everything in the bubble we lived in was a time warp between what we were going to do for the weekend and what our next adventure was after we graduated.
We lived in the pastures of the “bottoms” or at someone’s house for a gathering as the Trinity Trojans would jump the fence and invade our gang territory – we lived moment to moment and each moment gave us stories we still talked about on Saturday. This bubble is where we lived this weekend. Sharing the “do you remember when…” stories, trying to put faces with names, and loving the short window we had to relive those moments of when our lives were driven by immediate fun and distractions were at a minimum.
The dim lights of Bronco’s were ignited by the wonderful bright smiles as we saw people laugh, pulling photos of their kids and even grandkids out on their phone, hugging, and tears of joy as we laughed of the embarrassment of a moment 35 years ago. There was nothing but emotions being presented at Bronco’s as Hurst, TX became our turf once again. I want to thank the over eighty people who came to join us and those who stayed to the bitter end at 2:15AM to close out a wonderful night of memories. It was fantastic to see us packed together, introductions of new friendships, old acquaintances rekindled, raising a glass for those no longer with us, and enjoying the moment where we could be our 18 year old selves again. Thank you to all that helped to bring the wonderful night together - in particular Ron the owner of Bronco’s, Kristi Cobern, Melissa Teafatiller Musick, Michael Knyff, Melissa Greer, Rhonda Williams Dutton, Laurie Taylor Ersch, Terri Scheuneman Howard, and Susan Smith Davis. Thank you again! Kristi and I were asked over and over that we not wait another five years until we meet again – we will make sure that we get together soon. In the meantime, take time to reach out to all your old and new friends that were made Saturday. We are Class of 1987 and here for each other, like our class song we ask that you - Walk Forever By My Side. Loved every minute of it – The Shay Bear
