Recently, through our online high school reunion site, a spontaneous plan for a mini-reunion began to take form and before long was in full motion. It was to be held outdoors less than 15 miles from my home. I wanted to go but I was indecisive about it, and didn’t understand why. I finally acknowledged that I didn’t like the prospect of having myself mirrored through the faces of others at the age of 66. It seems that in high school, without realizing it, this happened pretty consistently, but with hormones ruling the campus we were somewhat oblivious to it. I finally made the decision to attend and face the camera and I’m glad I did. It was a beautiful day, great food, and full of nostalgia, visiting with acquaintances from years gone by. I saw people who had changed completely over the years both physically and emotionally; and others who seemed to have not changed at all. I saw people that I had remembered as just acquaintances in school, but now they seemed more like friends. Regretfully, there were some who were gone before I could even speak to them. This gathering inspired me to write.
High school was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to prepare for the academic, professional, and emotional growth of future lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians, artists, musicians, writers, husbands, wives, and parents. It was only the doorway to what we would be striving for well into the future – even now. Ultimately, it is important for each of us to have reached our goals in life to fulfill the purpose for which we were placed here on earth. This is an individual and often private endeavor between a person and their Creator. Regardless of the direction each of our lives may have taken, it is never too late to aspire to find a purpose for being alive. Whatever that may be for each of my high school classmates, or if we are still unsure of what it is; my prayer is that we will continue to try to find our individual purpose and will pursue it with gusto and enthusiasm. Proverbs 29:18 says that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I don’t think this only applies to youth but to all of the journey here on earth. I believe it is the only thing that will bring true peace to a person. No matter what is happening in our lives, prosperity, illness, discouragement, or success, whether we are true friends, or just acquaintances; I hope that we will continue to encourage, motivate, and lift each other up – higher than ourselves, in spite of our present circumstances, so that we can make a difference in the lives of others. Whoever decided that high school reunions were necessary or important must have done so with a sense of humor, but also with much wisdom. After attending several of these, I have realized that reunions are a time to reflect; on how far we have come, what we have become, and the remaining time we have left. High school was made up of a collection of young people with insecurities, egotism, and need for approval. Many of them would grow into adults who were secure, modest and self-accepting. Some, however, would still need recognition and reassurance. We are, after all, just humans on our individual journeys through an unpredictable life. I am sure that there is importance and relevance to going to a high school reunion, especially one that is near to the 50 year mark. It provides many of us the opportunity to view ourselves and others through different, older and wiser eyes, and for some of us, that is very important. Thanks for the memories, everyone and I am thankful for the new ones that are still to come.
