Well, maybe not yesterday. But it certainly didn't feel like it had been 30 years since we'd all spent so much time together. I'm talking, of course, of our high school class reunion.
I'd been unable to make up my mind about whether to attend. I was worried that maybe people had changed too much since senior year and we'd no longer have anything to talk about. But I was also concerned that things hadn't changed and the high-school hierarchy would still exist. I did some thinking out loud about it in my post last week. (And 30 years ago, I certainly wouldn't have said, "Hey, everybody. Take a look at something I wrote!")
Looking through my yearbook and finding my graduation announcement gave me just enough inspiration to hit the road and participate again in the reunion experience. I missed the 25-year, but I think I'd been to the previous gatherings.
"This is my husband. Nice to meet you." "Green Bay. And you?" "One 17-year-old son. Thank you." "I've been a proofreader for years, but I'm between jobs right now." Almost every conversation started the same way. But each one took a different direction. We shared memories of classes and teachers. We laughed about the part-time jobs we held and how our free time was spent. Life had followed carefully planned paths for some, and taken unexpected turns for others. It was truly fascinating to learn a little bit of what was behind those still-familiar faces.
Fortunately, I found someone from my old neighborhood right off the bat. Since we'd known each other since kindergarten (and probably even earlier), the words flew freely. From there it was easier than I'd imagined to move around the room. I was lucky enough to spend time with several classmates from grade school. I guess those bonds you establish during your formative years really DO endure!
The ice was automatically broken because we were all members of the class of '82. I talked to people I'd "hung out with" back in the day and with those who had different circles of friends. I was happy to see many I'd hoped would be there, and pleasantly surprised by some I didn't expect. There were people I hadn't really known that well at the time. But thanks to the wondrous world of social networking, I'm able to call them "friends" now. OK, I admit we might not be getting together for barbecue any time soon, but we have some shared interests and respect each other's opinions. That's part of what makes a friendship, isn't it?
Naturally, not everyone was able to attend, and some surely had no interest in coming. And as is the case at reunions everywhere, some friends are no longer with us. I hope that as they looked down on the party, they saw that we realize our graduating class wouldn't have been the same without them...and they will always be a part of that class.
There were lots of hugs and handshakes. I certainly didn't talk to everyone I would have liked to. (I can't imagine that anyone was able to make the rounds without missing someone!) That just gives me something more to look forward to next time.
I'd been unable to make up my mind about whether to attend. I was worried that maybe people had changed too much since senior year and we'd no longer have anything to talk about. But I was also concerned that things hadn't changed and the high-school hierarchy would still exist. I did some thinking out loud about it in my post last week. (And 30 years ago, I certainly wouldn't have said, "Hey, everybody. Take a look at something I wrote!")
Looking through my yearbook and finding my graduation announcement gave me just enough inspiration to hit the road and participate again in the reunion experience. I missed the 25-year, but I think I'd been to the previous gatherings.
"This is my husband. Nice to meet you." "Green Bay. And you?" "One 17-year-old son. Thank you." "I've been a proofreader for years, but I'm between jobs right now." Almost every conversation started the same way. But each one took a different direction. We shared memories of classes and teachers. We laughed about the part-time jobs we held and how our free time was spent. Life had followed carefully planned paths for some, and taken unexpected turns for others. It was truly fascinating to learn a little bit of what was behind those still-familiar faces.
Fortunately, I found someone from my old neighborhood right off the bat. Since we'd known each other since kindergarten (and probably even earlier), the words flew freely. From there it was easier than I'd imagined to move around the room. I was lucky enough to spend time with several classmates from grade school. I guess those bonds you establish during your formative years really DO endure!
The ice was automatically broken because we were all members of the class of '82. I talked to people I'd "hung out with" back in the day and with those who had different circles of friends. I was happy to see many I'd hoped would be there, and pleasantly surprised by some I didn't expect. There were people I hadn't really known that well at the time. But thanks to the wondrous world of social networking, I'm able to call them "friends" now. OK, I admit we might not be getting together for barbecue any time soon, but we have some shared interests and respect each other's opinions. That's part of what makes a friendship, isn't it?
Naturally, not everyone was able to attend, and some surely had no interest in coming. And as is the case at reunions everywhere, some friends are no longer with us. I hope that as they looked down on the party, they saw that we realize our graduating class wouldn't have been the same without them...and they will always be a part of that class.
There were lots of hugs and handshakes. I certainly didn't talk to everyone I would have liked to. (I can't imagine that anyone was able to make the rounds without missing someone!) That just gives me something more to look forward to next time.
I had no real expectations for the reunion, good or bad. It would have been a shame, though, to miss it due solely to apathy. Memories of high school are a mix of sweet nostalgia and "Gee, I'm glad that's over!" But the memory of our 30-year reunion will definitely go in my mental yearbook as one of the good times. See you in five years!
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