June 28, 2006

High School Reunion

Posted in friends, memories, travel at 1:30 am by jimazing

Last weekend was my 30^th High School Reunion and I don’t get it.  None of my classmates showed up.  Instead, they all sent their parents in their place! 

Seriously it was a great time.  It seemed to me that everyone was more relaxed than at previous reunions.  Maybe we have finally gotten to a place in life where we are going to just be ourselves no matter what people think.  Or maybe we just don’t really remember one another and we pretend that we do.  Or maybe it was just me who doesn’t care any more and can’t remember anyone.

That’s not true though.  While there were a few that I honestly don’t remember at all, there were a few who I would have recognized anywhere.  In the middle of a conversation, I noticed Doug walk by and made a mental note to be sure to say hello to him.  

As soon as the opportunity presented itself, I walked up to Doug, looked him in the eye and said with confidence, “I don’t remember a lot of people here, but I sure remember you.”  Without looking at his nametag, I asked, “How are you, Mike?”  

I thought he would burst with laughter as he pointed to his nametag and said, “I am Doug.  Mike is my brother.” 

I know my face was red, but it was way too funny for me to be embarrassed for long.

It was interesting to notice my feelings around my old friends.  Thirty years ago, when we were together all the time, we were teenagers with all the hormones and emotional overload that goes with it.  Talk about intense feelings!  When I felt my stomach do the little flip thing, I asked myself what it was all about and realized that I was reliving some of those old feelings both good and bad.  When I realized it, I gave the feelings a 48-year-old kick in the pants.  No one knows what I’m feeling.  No one can see inside me.  And I am not the same person I was 30 years ago… and neither are they.  

We have some special memories that only we can share and friendships that will remain for our whole lives.  I am blessed!

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