Happy Anniversary to Lee and Pamela!

HI EVERYONE,
CHECK OUT THE FORWARDED INVITATION!!
WE HAVE ALL BEEN INVITED TO CELEBRATE
THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR CLASSMATES
LEE & PAMELA ROBINSON.
PLEASE PUT THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR
AND PLAN TO ATTEND THIS WONDERFUL OCCASION.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL DOREATHA (630-1226)
OR RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL.


Share a special time in the lives of
Mr & Mrs. Lee Robison as we celebrate our
Fifth Anniversary on Saturday, the fourteenth of July
two thousand and seven seven o'clock until midnight at:

9056 Club, Inc.
(Benedict Hall)
5351 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Muhammad Ali's Visit To BTW

Here's a photo of a blow-up of a famous photo of Muhammad Ali
playing around with four other guys. I think they made a couple
of records or something. This was around 1963-4.

I remember one Spring (1968?) when Ali came to Norfolk and
spoke at Norfolk State College. (now University) Someone
suggested he go to the nearby high school (BTW) and speak
there. That someone probably wasn't fully aware of our
reputation.

Mr. Ali came and spoke to us over the P/A system.
He recited his amusing poems including his notorius
"Hell no, I ain' gon' go." etc., which roused us to a
fever pitch.

During his speech, the 5 minute buzzer went off letting us
know we had that much time left before class ended. On this
occassion that was the equivalent of "On your mark, get set....

I was in Mr. Thad Rhodes' last bell English class in
room 116 that day. When the bell sounded ...GO!" students
on all three floors poured out of their classes and headed
for Mr. Holmes' office area. That's where the P/A system was
located and, "The Greatest" himself.

We would not let the man leave. Neither Mr. Preston,
Mr. Holmes, nor Mrs. Alston could budge us. As some of you
may recall these were powerful administrators and they
commanded respect.

Finally, a compromise was suggested by Mr. Ali's staff.
All the students should meet on the athletic field and
Mr. Ali would come there and shake our hands. Grudgingly,
we made a path and Mr. Holmes led "The Champ" out of the
building.

We gathered on the football field and two cars were parked
close together so we could pass through them in an orderly
fashion and shake Muhammad Ali's hand.

While waiting my turn I got the idea to go through the line
twice. Once for the proper right hand shake, and again for
a left hand shake. That way I would have the special memory
of shaking both his hands.

Well, I did that, and on the way home (I walked) I thought
maybe this is something I will tell my children about.

The memory was special after all because a couple of months
ago my son and I were watching a biography of Muhammad Ali
on T.V. and I told him this story.
Read "Muhammad Ali at Norfolk State-May 8th, 1968" Edward West
mr.westsr@gmail.com or,
BTWCLASSof68BLOG@gmail.com

This,too,shall pass

The other day I was feeling kinda blue because
I felt I hadn't achieved all I wanted to at this
time in my life. This, after reading about others
who appeared to have done much more with their lives.

While moping through the local Home Depot, I ran into
a guy I knew from the past and we began to talk about
old times. During this conversation another man whom
we both knew showed up. (what are the odds?)

The first man began talking about his son whose
repetitive negative behavior had landed him in the
state hotel (prison), and all the court dates involved
and the humiliation and disapointment he felt. He also
spoke about having recently lost his mother who I knew
from childhood.

The other man told us about his wife being very ill and
that he, too, was not in the best of shape. Surgery was
imminent for both. Plus they are raising their grand
children.

Both men spoke of other problems they had. I guess they
had to talk to someone. I listened.

While listening to these men, I reflected on my life and
thought how blessed I am not to have any major negative
events going on in my life. Yes, I've had my troubles,
but nothing like what they were going through.

Then I realized that my achievement issues were not all
that important,just do some re-inventing, and adapt a
more positive outlook.

When we do experience major difficulties, they seem to be
all encompassing,and take what seems like forever to be
resolved. One way or another, in time,they will be.
Remember the verse "This ,too, shall pass".

So, if at times, you find yourself feeling troubled,
remember there are those whose lives are much more
difficult than yours.

In my case I left the Home Depot remembering the song from
the early '70s by William DeVaughn,
" Just Be Thankful For What You've Got".

And I am.

Edward West
mr.westsr@gmail.com or,
BTWCLASSof68BLOG@gmail.com