Meridian High Wildcats '58: Amazing Grace

A Tribute and Celebration

We were the class of 1958, members of the Greatest Generation as well as children of the Greatest Generation. Born in 1940, we are also called members of the Traditional Generation.
Our childhood, post World War II, "was the best of times . . . it was the age of wisdom . . . it was the epoch of belief . . .it was the season of Light . . . it was the spring of hope . . . we had everything before us . . .we were all going direct to Heaven . . . ." (A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens.) At least, that's the way I felt about it. We were truly blessed.
- Ouida Tomlinson -
This blog is a place for 1958 graduates of Meridian, Mississippi, High School to stay in touch, post their news, items of interest and photographs.
CLASS OF 1958 MEMORIES (Click to read all posts relating to sports, honors, graduation and other memories of our class in 1957-58.)
FACEBOOK PAGE FOR CLASS OF 1958
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MHS58/

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Amazing Grace

Dear Class, thank you so much for your many kind e-mails. I have appreciated hearing from you so much during these past days.

Tom's funeral was yesterday, and my stamina was stretched to the limit, but I was blessed all day with my faith, love of friends, family and my church. I just wrote someone a few minutes ago : "What a blessing to be Catholic - there is so much grace in the funeral Mass - so much healing - so much love." For some reason, as time has passed and I've lost 4 grandparents, parents, other family members, my best friend and now my husband, the tears have slowed down, and I've gone from being inconsolable to being at peace when loved ones pass away. The only time I cried yesterday was when the honor guard placed the flag in my arms and said "On behalf of the President of United States . . . ." This Memorial Day I will be visiting Biloxi National Cemetery for a very special reason - to visit my World War II hero.

I have posted Tom's prayer card here. I especially thank Ivan Burnett who sent me the prayer on the back of the card. Ivan said that it was written by a minister friend of his and is so comforting. It expresses so much of what I wanted to say to Tom's son who lost his young wife (41 years old) in February and now his father.

Love & Prayers,
Ouida

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."