Thanks to the Dads I Never Had

So many of you I met when you were only 13 years old when you first came to VCSS.  I still hold most of you in my imagination as you were when you were those young teenagers. But when I meet you all over the Internet, at sites like Facebook, I see photo after photo of all your children. But it puzzles me because I keep thinking, "You can't be a father of a 16 year old boy, you're only 13 years old yourself ?!"  Back in the "olden" days, when we attended high school, I saw the genesis of what kind of men and fathers you would become. And now as I look at you as you are are now, I know one thing very surely, you are a bunch of really proud Papas!

 As many of you know, all the years I attended VCSS I was one of the very few families that didn't have a Dad at home because my parents had divorced. In the 5 years I attended Vancouver Christian Secondary School  I never once set eyes on my father. I mailed him an invitation to my graduation but he never came. He didn't acknowledged my invitation or accomplishment with a phone call, a letter or even a card. Because of the type of person my fathers was, I spent my years with you always watching your fathers closely. I often heard you talk about your fathers, but mostly I heard you complain about them ("My Dad always wants to know where I am and where I'm going!"). The things you had to "endure" from your fathers were the things I longed for. A father who cared where I was, wondered what I did, asked about my grades at school, or interrogated the boys I was dating. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not stating , "Oh, poor me. I didn't have father", because it was just that fact that brought me to my Heavenly Father.  But this Fathers Day, as you look to your own kids who will probably honor you with gifts, phone calls and maybe a few compliments, may I ask you for a favour?  Look to your own memories of your young days, think of your fathers who made you the people and Dads you are now, and (if you are still fortunate enough to have your father around) give them a "thanks Dad" from you. And maybe say it with a little extra 'gusto' from me, who watched your fathers love you and felt the awe and privilege of  being able to see it. Watching them brought me deeper understanding of what it meant to be loved by my Heavenly Father.

"Jesus, bless all the Dads who love their children enough to pass on God's love through demonstrating it and then bowing out so God can increase while they decrease. Amen."

Happy Fathers Day, my friends.
Love Laura-Lee

"The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less."  (JOHN 3:29-30)

Another School Reunion ?

Wonderment in May
by Ed Loenen  VCSS Art Teacher -
(passed away 2012)

Spring is in the air and everyone is starting to talk about reunions. After all, this is a high school blog. The first Reunion I planned went very well. It wasn't greatly attended but the people who went said they had a great time and would definitely like to go to another one. There have been several people since who said  "I would have loved to have been there but I didn't know about it". I remember that at the time Facebook was upgrading their "groups" section, so the "EVENT" might have been lost in the shuffle. But mostly

there just weren't that many people at our FB Group and not many people spread the word.  I didn't attend for one very good reason: I PLANNED IT FROM 1000 KM AWAY!

Yes. I live in Edmonton now, but I still managed to pull it all together including the location, time, and Event Invitations (and then spent the afternoon of the reunion pacing in my living room chewing on the inside of my cheek).


If I can pull it off from a Province away, then what can YOU accomplish? It's kind of a daunting task but let's start with some ground work and see if we don't have to put this all on one person's shoulders.


Over the years, I have told tons of people stories about my five years at Vancouver Christian Secondary School (or as it came to be 'legendarily' known "Laura-Lee's little Christian school"). Besides many stories about our unique adventures and quotes from some of our more interesting students (that means YOU!) I have also stressed how each class seemed to take on a life of it's own. That we were definitely MORE than the sum of our parts. My own class (1985) demonstrated that a thousand ways over the 5 years we were together.


Now we're in the big, bad world and we must burst from our classes and be a single unit of "ALUMNI". Yes. Our school does not exist anymore, but somehow we have found each other on the Internet. Let's make sure that we continue to "find" each other.  I don't mean we should be like a TV sitcom and be forever 17 and unable to move past our high school days OR (like Romy & Michelle) seek to show "the other kids" that "I'm not a nobody anymore".


We are adults. We have a lot on our plates. Thus is life. So let's join together in a new way.  In those cramped, dark hallways of that tiny school we were merely children trying to find our way through faith, family, responsibility and a million hormones ("HIS-mones" if you're a boy). But we did grow up. Together. And that makes us a "family". So let's act like one. *Encourage each other. *Remember that words last longer when they are used to build up rather than tear down. *Forgive and let go of the past. *See people for what they could be not for the mess they may now be. *Be ready to invest yourself in someone else. *Prepare for the worst but always hope and pray for the BEST!  *And constantly be speaking the truth in love. Love.( Love, love, love). All those things were the real lessons we were learning there. I know because I'm still getting questions about "when is the next reunion?" We need time to reconnect and remember. And you may just find that the good was very good and the bad was so ridiculous you can laugh about it now. And how many wounds has laughter been the bandage for? What a wonderful purpose and a great reason to get together again.


So for the "ground work" let's start by making sure that every single person that you're in contact with who attended, taught or worked at that school knows about our groups.(SEE THE LINKS BELOW)  Post these web addresses anywhere you think an alumni might go. College websites. Church websites. Christian forums and magazines (especially if they are Canadian or Vancouver based). And don't forget to join them yourself. Then, with everyone "here" or "present", we can plan a reunion. And next time we can make sure that everyone who wants to be there,  will - be - there!  Because we all know what it feels like to be "ignored" or "left out" ( after all, we did attend high school).


Sincerely, Laura-Lee Rahn (class of 1985) - putting the MENTAL in "fundaMENTAList"


FACEBOOK: Vancouver Christian Secondary Alumni

BLOG: VCSS Alumni (Google)

TWITTER: VCSS Alumni

REUNION PHOTOS

September 2010
(25th Reunion - Class of 1985)

June 2010 (L-L planned from Edmonton)
(Central Park Burnaby)

Summer 1995

1993
(10th Reunion - Class of 1983)

P.S. Don't forget that if you have a "Google" Account (IE. an email that has "GMail.com" at the end) then you can click on the "FOLLOW" button on this BLOG and get notified of new posts and add posts to the Blog yourself . (Remember: a Google Account is free).

And no matter what email you have, you can always add a comment to any blog OR share it with other sites with the links at the bottom of each entry. (llr)

Ed Loenen: A Tribute

Wonderment in May

If you picked up a pencil at Vancouver Christian School in the 1980's, the chance is you met with Mr. Loenen. It was he who taught me that all the colors in the world come from just 3: red, blue & yellow. You can make great art from just these three primary colors.
Mr. Loenen also knew that a life of color and abundance could be made from having the Father, Son & Holy Spirit as part of your every day life.
With those two great pieces of wisdom he lead a life that was worth much and I feel grateful for the years that our lives crossed. But I am even more grateful for the fact we will meet again.
This is my moment to say, "Good-bye, Sir. Thank you for your labor of love for the Lord, which is never in vain."
Love Laura-Lee (Rahn) class of 1985


For those of you who wish to see a sample of what Mr. Loenen left behind (artistically speaking)follow the link below from the White Rock Gallery:

Ed Loenen's work at White Rock Gallery

"One by one they came, as far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done, and sacrifices made.
Un-noticed on the earth, in Heaven now proclaimed."

"Thank you for giving to the Lord,
for I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave."                  -Ray Boltz


BIOGRAPHY

EDWARD JOHN LOENEN, S.F.C.A., was born in Loosdrecht, The Netherlands in 1938, and immigrated to Columbia in 1956.

In 1966 he received his B.Ed. at the University of British Columbia. Somewhat later, the artist obtained a minor in visual arts from the Department of Education at U.B.C. He had the privilege of studying under Professor Sam Black and Dr. Robert Steele. Ed also enrolled in various part-time courses at the Vancouver School of Art in the early sixties and later, at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design.

For many years Ed taught Art and French at high school level but his dream to be an artist never vanished. In 1992 he left full time teaching to pursue 'his first love'. In the fall of that year he was accepted as an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

For the past years Ed has made the intensive study of colour theory his main focus. Consequently, his development as a fine colourist has been exciting. But more importantly, his works exude vibrancy and convey a unique, personal style coupled with a mastery of oil painting techniques.

In the spring of 1995, Ed was granted A.F.C.A. status within the Federation of Canadian Artists

One minute with artist Ed Loenen from Peter Segnitz on Vimeo.

WE Are the Reason for the Season

Here is the video I made for this Christmas, 2011. I sent it out BEFORE Christmas but was having some trouble with my email so it didn't get to those of you I wanted to get it personally in time. I'm hoping I'll post it here and you'll get to see it. Better late than never, eh?
Hope you had a  Merry Christmas and a Wonderful "Fruit of the Spirit" New Year too.
Love Laura-Lee (VCSS 1985)

NOTE: Turn off the "Friends" Song at the right BEFORE you start up this video or the two songs will interfere with each other. L-L

How About News from You’se ?

For the longest time I’ve loved the idea of having an alumni newsletter for our school but life has gotten way out of control for me right now and it just doesn’t look like it will be coming from me any time soon. I’m currently homeless, stuck in a hotel with about 6 boxes of my belongings stuck in a storage locker and Christmas bearing down on me like a freight train. I don’t think a newsletter will be happening any time soon. But how about something from you guys?

I know it can be hard to talk about yourself but perhaps you would be willing to answer some basic questions if I send out an email to a bunch of you simultaneously. That way you don’t have to start cold. Some of us have been away from high school for a very long time and a lot has happened to us. Where or How do we begin to tell it all?

Perhaps you could start by telling me if you would be willing to answer some questions. Leave me a short answer to this post at the Facebook Wall or at the VCSS Alumni Blog. Make sure I have your correct email address and I’ll send out a list of questions. It might prove interesting.

And as always, remember not to say anything that you wouldn’t shout from a mountain top because on the internet … that’s just want you are doing.

I’ll be in touch.
Love Laura-Lee (class of 1985)

P.S. If one (or more) of you feel inspired to try a newsletter on your own I would think that’s great. Go for it. I suspect we have some Noel Coward’s, Samuel Clemens’s or Edgar R. Murrow’s out there.