Quotations for Homecomings and Reunions
they shall never be forgot!
There is no place like the old place, —
keep green the dear old spot!
There are no friends like our old friends,
— may Heaven prolong their lives!...
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, "No Time Like the Old Time," 1865
The next best thing to the enjoyment of a good time, is the recollection of it. ~James Lendall Basford (1845–1915), Sparks from the Philosopher's Stone, 1882
How powerful is the spell of home! ~Silas X. Floyd (1869–1923), "Home, Sweet Home," Floyd's Flowers, 1905
What is the charm that makes old things so sweet? ~Sarah Doudney, "Between the Lights," 1875
We only part to meet again. ~John Gay (1685–1732), "Black-ey'd Susan"
My dear, dear Friend... in thy voice I catch
The language of my former heart...
~William Wordsworth, lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey, on revisiting the banks of the Wye during a tour, 1798
It was as if some silver chime had waked a chord in his memory. ~Florence Bone (1875–1971), The Morning of To‑Day, 1907
Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes. ~Henry David Thoreau, letter to Lidian Jackson Emerson, 1843
It's the prayer of the wandering, storm-tossed soul...
When we go home again!
~Esther M. Clark Hill, "Home," in Kansas City Star, 1920
Kindred hearts no distance parts. ~James Lendall Basford (1845–1915), Seven Seventy Seven Sensations, 1897
As the years go by, give me but peace,
Freedom from ten thousand matters.
I ask myself and always answer,
What can be better than coming home?
~Wang Wei, "Answering Vice-Prefect Chang," translated from the Chinese by Witter Bynner and Kiang
These were the archives of the history of his own heart. ~Max Nordau (1849–1923), "The Art of Growing Old," How Women Love and Other Tales (Soul Analysis), translated from the German by an unnamed translator, 1896 [drawers of photos, letters, and other memories
Forgotten days of long ago,
I wonder where you are!
And if perchance we'll meet again
On some far-distant star!
~George Elliston, "Forgotten Days," Everyday Poems, 1921
Life flings miles and years between us,
It is true,—
But brings never to me dearer
Friends than you!
~Dorothy Scarborough, Humorous Ghost Stories, 1921
Ah, how good it feels!
The hand of an old friend.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Christus: A Mystery, 1872
Notice how your memories nest, one inside another — so close-fitting that you can't peel one free without releasing others. ~Dr. SunWolf, professorsunwolf.com
Say what you want about aging, it's still the only way to have old friends. ~Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com
Sweet childish days, that were as long
As twenty days are now.
~William Wordsworth, "To a Butterfly," 1801
The surest measure of the things that really matter in life is that they generate anniversaries and reunions. ~Robert Brault, rbrault.blogspot.com
Every parting is a form of death — as every reunion is a type of heaven. ~Amelia B. Edwards, My Brother's Wife, 1855
ACADEME, n. An ancient school where morality and philosophy were taught.
ACADEMY, n. (from academe). A modern school where football is taught.
~Ambrose Bierce
On with the dance! let joy be unconfined;
No sleep till morn, when Youth and Pleasure meet
To chase the glowing Hours with flying feet...
~Lord Byron, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, 1812
October gave a party... ~George Cooper, "October's Party"
For there we loved, and where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts...
~Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894), "Homesick in Heaven," 1872
A magical thing... sweet to remember... ~Oliver Herford, "Hope," in The Century Magazine, 1914
The light is what guides you home, the warmth is what keeps you there. ~Ellie Rodriguez, @sapphiremoon13, December 2009 winner of The Quote Garden create your own quote contest on Twitter, @quotegarden