One of my classmates was a huge help in preparing the website, financials, and classmate lists. All in all, out of a graduating class of 675, about 60 attended. Which was fine with me; it gave me a chance for deeper, more meaningful interactions (and remember, I'm always looking for meaning in things.)
As with any class, we had our cliques. There was the popular group which was very insular and hard to penetrate. There were, of course, the jocks...the misfits...the kids from one neighborhood or another that didn't socialize with anyone else. It's human nature to associate with those who have similar upbringings, values, and experiences. Me? I was very involved with a group outside of high school, so my friends from that group were the ones with whom I hung out. Again, human nature.
At this reunion, we all pretty much agreed that high school stunk. We all thought that everyone else was doing better than we were in handling the day-to-day stresses of being a teenager. One woman - whom I thought was "Miss Popularity" - admitted to me that she was desperate for friends in high school.
What I found to be the most profound theme, if you will, of this reunion is that barriers came down. We were no longer divided by neighborhood or religious affiliation; we were able to forgive - and even connect with - those who hurt us. We all have grown up.
Getting together more often - every 5 years instead of every 10 - has taken on a new urgency; as the cycle of life flows, our class of 675 is slowly dwindling.
Hold my hand, everyone, and let's hold on to our 16-year old selves with the wisdom that being over 50 brings. I promise to think of you as young and carefree for a very long time.
Until then, promise me you'll do everything in your power to stay alive.
Deal?