1902

The individual who coined the term "class family" in order to include the wives and widows of classmates may not have intended to extend it to the next generation. Yet we have come to think of our "family" as comprising not only wives and widows, but also those sons and daughters who apparently wish to have some tie with their fathers' classmates.

The family feeling is one which grows slowly in a group of men, but with advancing years and regular attendance at reunions it increases greatly. In a recent letter from a "class daughter" she wrote, "Mother and Dad got such pleasure from the Class of 1902 reunions, especially in the later ones. They enjoyed them tremendously." She can be assured that the enjoyment was mutual.

One of the results of having a family often appears in the case of a college class like ours just as it does in the case of the individual who has a family of his own. The older he gets the more likely it is that he becomes to a certain extent dependent upon it. For example, as long as Alma Mater maintains a position of respect among the colleges of our country, we wish to have our Class indicate our continued love and support but, alas, our own efforts become steadily weaker. Only by the heartening assistance of our "family" can we show proudly a participation that still rates high.

Yet that is only one aspect of the relationship. In a more individual sense the family may, and often does, develop some personal contacts which are quite significant to men whose backward view has become far more extended than the one ahead.

Our recent losses have emphasized this family aspect, and serve to remind us of the numerous wives who in the later years became almost as much a part of the Class as their husbands were. As we write, there are at least 15 of our ladies still living, ten of whom have survived their husbands, and in one way or another have kept in touch with the Class.

Since writing the items for the February issue, the secretary has received messages, directly or indirectly, from Bradley, Chivers, Clark, Davis, Drake, and Dudley.

Secretary and Class Agent 6 Pasture Lane Darien, Conn. 06820