Today, kids, is my 20th (twentieth) year high school reunion.
You know that feeling, the one that you catch a glimpse of yourself in a photo or the mirror or the car window and you gasp and go, “Holy stink, when did I get so old?” The answer is Today. (For me. Not for you. You are not old. Unless you want to be. Which is great with me. Getting older is Some Kind of Blessing, as it certainly beats the alternative.)
Do you want to know what I’ve done in preparation for today? Let’s check my list, shall we?
1. Lose 20 pounds (which would have put me below what I weighed in HS): Nope. Didn’t happen.
2. Get a tan: Nope. Didn’t happen. But I have a good excuse.
3. Buy a cute sundress: Sort of. I have a dress. I bought it months ago, and it’s my standard wear-it-when-I-need-color. But it’s not really new. Nor does it appear, when I wear it, that I managed to accomplish #1. Alas. But it is very bright and pretty. And comfy. Which matters most to me (and says plenty about my crimes of fashion over the length of my life.)
4. Buy great shoes: Nope. How about the comfy 3-year-old sandals? Check.
5. Shave legs: Does yesterday count?
6. Pedicure: I’m counting it. I did it myself, but really, will anyone get THAT close? Let’s hope not.
But despite my utter lack of apparent motivation, I have to say, I’m glad to be going. I loved so many people that I knew in High School. And yes. I know that I use the word “love” easily, but that doesn’t make it any less true. I only went to this high school for a year and a half. But I spread my little heart all over that place. And it came right back to me. As much as there have been days and days over the past few months that I thought “Why in the world would I want to go back to high school?” — this is it: The people I knew there were extremely generous spirits. Even at seventeen, these people cared deeply about things that still matter.
I’m not saying they didn’t also care deeply about that Kevin Bacon movie “Tremors,” I’m just saying they were also capable of sincere, deep love. For each other.
And for a small window of my life, I was one of them.
So off I go, to the Family Picnic part of the party, to smile a lot, to squint out of the corner of my eye at nametags, to solidify my sincere hope that these good kids turned into happy, fulfilled adults. To reconnect. To laugh at memories and to gasp at the wonder that is Right Now.
(12) Comments for this blog
Going to mine in two weeks and feeling a little old myself. But would rather be old than 17 again.
Going to mine in two weeks and feeling a little old myself. But would rather be old than 17 again.
You are tan silly! And I am so sad that we didn’t get more time to visit this trip. Your #2 is adorable and I admire her determination to stick to the cross country thing. Enjoy today!
You are tan silly! And I am so sad that we didn’t get more time to visit this trip. Your #2 is adorable and I admire her determination to stick to the cross country thing. Enjoy today!
I bet all of the ladies there wanted to be you. You are cute and friendly and smart and… well, I like you.
Next summer is my 30th? What the…
I bet all of the ladies there wanted to be you. You are cute and friendly and smart and… well, I like you.
Next summer is my 30th? What the…
Becca,
Nicole and I didn’t get to go to the picnic. Would have loved to see you. So glad to see the success that you are having. It looks like I have a couple of Kindle purchases to make.
Sincerely,
Curtis J. Morley
BTW – I love the way you write.
Becca,
Nicole and I didn’t get to go to the picnic. Would have loved to see you. So glad to see the success that you are having. It looks like I have a couple of Kindle purchases to make.
Sincerely,
Curtis J. Morley
BTW – I love the way you write.
I’m with Kazzy on everything, including the big 3-0 next year. I’m sure you were the belle of the ball, for all the reasons Kaz mentioned. Here’s how smart I am: In the middle of this gigantic upheaval in my life, I volunteered to be in CHARGE of my 30th reunion.
Apparently, I get dumber with age.
I’m with Kazzy on everything, including the big 3-0 next year. I’m sure you were the belle of the ball, for all the reasons Kaz mentioned. Here’s how smart I am: In the middle of this gigantic upheaval in my life, I volunteered to be in CHARGE of my 30th reunion.
Apparently, I get dumber with age.
I hope you have a super great time Becca! I missed my 20th reunion , but had many friends say it was a blast. I hope yours is fantastic!
I hope you have a super great time Becca! I missed my 20th reunion , but had many friends say it was a blast. I hope yours is fantastic!