So much has changed in our lives, the country , and in our world since graduation. . . . . love, death, pain, loss, weight gain, gray hair, health challenges, computers, blogs, email , disappointments . . . . to name a few. What if we are not remembered or welcomed ? We would have to add that blow to your egos from long ago in Staunton, Virginia. Could we just laugh and remember, at least for a few days our hopes, dreams, and friends? I couldn’t articulate those feelings of vulnerability a while back when my dear friend Page was encouraging me to come back for the reunion. I said honestly that I didn’t want to drive all that way by myself, and that was a biggie! Page suggested the train, which I love or contacting Anne near Syracuse to ride together. She just wouldn’t take no for an answer. Riding with Anne became a reality. The 7 plus hours of the trip going and coming flew by. We did have a laugh when she wanted me to navigate…..Who moi? She was”driving Miss Anne.” as my children say or “On Miss Anne duty!” All said affectionately, I am sure! This set the atmosphere of sharing and laughing that continued the weekend.
I am not going to recount the activities but will share a few photos.
The old birds look pretty good, don’t we? Kay, Jo, me, and Page This was the opening reception. . . .
Saturday night was the dinner /dance and my favorite part was the photo booth from our youth at Woolworth’s in downtown Staunton. There were props for funny pictures, but I just like the pictures.
Here I am with our perpetual senior president, Bill. He was and is everyone’s friend!
Here am I with Page, and Anne, my driver!
Finally, here is a picture from the Sunday Brunch:
Dear old friends: Mary Anne, Cecily , Page and me. . . . .
The years seemed to be stripped away if only for the weekend. The only “old person talk” I heard were stories of knee operations from all the athletic people in our class and the miracle of modern cataract surgery.
I was with a group that was together until late in the afternoon on Sunday. We seemed still full of things to share and a need to prolong our time together. As we lingered until the end , a few of the classmates remembered feelings of ” invisibility and inadequately ” during our high school years. The ugly head of past feelings had wormed its way into the weekend. Each who wanted to share those old feelings did so uninterrupted as we all stood silently and respectfully acknowledging that all of us understood. It was a part of growing up . . . . a passage.
Just as this time of reunion weekend together is a passage into another season of our lives.
I would love to hear of others’ reunion experiences.
TalesAlongTheWay 