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DAVID BENTLEY'S WEEKLY COLUMN |
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COMING HOME
Like everything else, homecoming has changed over the years. Originally it was a time for alumni to return to their alma mater for class reunions in late September or early October. Today, class reunions generally occur in the summer when families can take vacations for travel. Still, most homecomings include elections of homecoming royalty, parades, pep rallies, barbecues, home football games, and post-game dances. We experienced all of that in Friday Harbor last week. However there was something more taking place on our little island than you may have noticed. True to tradition, the Homecoming King and Queen were elected along with their court. Students decorated floats for the parade, and local residents lined the streets to watch the floats pass by. The pep rally could be heard from several blocks away as spirits rose while abused vocal chords created hoarse voices and temporary laryngitis. Early football fans ate at the barbecue. Two diversely ranked, yet unbeaten teams played football, and the dance after the game went long into the night. Not everyone participated in all these events. In fact, many island residents were not even aware they were taking place. However, most who did participate got more from it than just heightened football spirit, heartburn, or a sore throat. They experience the "home" in homecoming. They found an environment offering security and happiness as well as a social unit in which they felt at ease and were a part of that community. Were they all alike and in total agreement? Of course not; but for that period of time they were able to set aside their differences and rally together to support one another and the home team. Perhaps someday we will be able to "come home" as a community for longer than one Friday in autumn.
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SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008 |
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