A boyhood buddy tried backflipping into a beanbag chair, became a quadriplegic -- and a highly esteemed teacher. June dueled cancer three times -- and pointedly told the author never to forget her. Joel was a pubescent blowhard who became a helping hand to many before battling health crises. Pat was a homecoming queen who became a hospice nurse and overcame ambivalence about attending reunions before taking on cancer. During teen years Chris seemed the most self-assured but later revealed she had been "in a fog." Jim, even as a preteen, was a loving caregiver to his hobbled sister. Through his own crisis, his sunny disposition didn't fade. DeeDee's husband, an MS victim, urged her to put him in a nursing home to ease her burden. This loveliest of widows kept on living and loving - and at age 59 still was doing cartwheels.

Fran proved unstoppable during a daunting journey from college mascot to career success. Poh Hong put aside doubts by family and friends and flew half way around the world to attend a reunion. John was a college football player who became a minister, accepted strangers into his prayer circle and dealt with his own heartaches. Then there was Jim who persuaded the author to attend his first reunion - and later showed remarkable mettle amid dire circumstances.

Mascot, Minister, Man of Steel - The Final Reunion laces together humor with incredible insight into the human spirit and paints a poignant reflection of friendship, camaraderie and how the indomitable human spirit faces the inevitable curveballs of life. The book weaves whimsy with tragedy and never allows the reader to forget the brevity of life and the value of appreciating its every moment. The book reveals the impact of friendships from long ago and lets the reader discover how yesterday often holds a gift for tomorrow, adding to memory's tapestry.

Copyright © 2009 Mike Johnson's Books North Canton, Ohio