The last entry was supposed to be in this new “book” but being unfamiliar with this site, it got stuck on Finally Autumn....can’t really have Autumn all year long. I’ll figure it out in time.
Almost a month ago, I went to my 50th high school reunion. I thought that it would be a great idea to go and even got on the Reunion Committee, calling and locating classmates. I figured that at our age, we would just have a good time, none of us were past any need to “prove” anything to anyone, or how far we had come, how successful we were, etc.
Sometime in July, my daughter wanted to hold a double birthday party for her kids....hereafter known as The Beloved Grandchildren …both born in August.....One turned 3 and the other 1. She asked if she could hold it at our place because of all the room we have and the lack of room they have.
Fine with us. She and her husband vowed to do all the work .....yeah, hahaha....I know they meant well but had no idea what all is involved in a large party for a gazillion babies, toddlers, moms and dads, plus some close relatives. Most of those guests were this wonderful group that she had found…a “Mommy and Me” group and had made some really good friends.
But Terry and I really didn’t mind any of the work…in the past, we used to throw a lot of big and little parties. We just needed to get back into that party-zone again. And true to their word, daughter and son in law worked really hard, before and after and it was a wonderful success. They rented a Bouncy-House…or whatever it’s called, we have a swing/slide play equipment and those who wanted could swim in the pool. Thankfully, these were all respectful and responsible parents so it went “swimmingly” well.....(sorry …couldn’t resist that one. :) ) And another “thankfully”.....my daughter and her husband are always so grateful for anything we do and really express it all the time.
About a week prior to the party, I realized it was on the exact same day as the Reunion. Having worked on the committee for almost a year, I knew it was in early September but just didn’t pay attention to the exact date.
I had originally planned on going for the Friday festivities and the Saturday daytime fun besides the actual event on Saturday night. It was at a nice hotel in one of the beach cities here in So Cal so not that far of a drive and we would spend 2 nights at the hotel.
There was no way I could do it all (or so I thought) so I decided to do none of it, thinking I’d be too tired after the birthday party and I wouldn’t be able to attend any of the other events involved with the reunion. After my serious illness 3 years ago that kept me in the hospital for 3 weeks, I honestly don’t have the energy or the lungs I used to have.....and then there’s always that Old Age factor that affects energy.
But Terry, my daughter and son in law all convinced me to go. ( I think they actually “badgered” me)
I do have to admit that by then a little insecurity had crept into my head, since I really never kept in contact with any high school friends. I was really really shy then and had lots of acquaintances but only one really good friend living in another state who wasn’t attending (thanks to the reunion we had just found each other again and are now great email buddies). Most of the other freshmen/classmates had come from other elementary schools with lots of friends. I was the only one from my Catholic grade school and it was an awful situation for a shy girl. I didn’t know anyone. But I did have a lot of nuns praying for me since they were sure I would be going straight to Hell by going to a public school.
Luckily, I had a terrific outfit to wear that I loved and felt good in. And it fit well without those “squeeze it all” undergarments. I don’t “do” close fitting clothes anymore. I only weigh 120 lbs but pregnancy left me with pudgy-ness in the mid section that I never bothered to work off. Therefore, it was the kids’ fault. :)
I was positive no one would remember me. Shy people always think that.
I had attended the 30th reunion and had a wonderful time and hoped to see those people again. Unfortunately, many had died. It was rather shocking to realize how many of our classmates had died. I mean how could that possibly happen? We weren’t that old.
But I went. And I haven’t been the same since.
I had no idea it would have such an impact on me.
Those strong feelings that resulted from that night are starting to fade a little but it still lingers and probably will for a long time.....in a very positive way.
I’ll continue this story in the next entry.
Loading comments...