Reunions

I bumped into a woman from my high school class a couple of weeks ago. She was all a-flutter about the Big Reunion that is being scheduled for this summer.

'Oh, you should come! It'll be fun!'
'Well, I was never a big joiner in high school, and that hasn't changed much.'
'Oh, neither was I! But I'm one of the organizers! So is A - remember her?. We'll have sooooo much fun!'

I remember N from high school, and she was far more involved in scholastic events and networks than I was; I'm not surprised that she's one of the organizers.

Way back when I was a teenager, I had activities and interests that pulled me out of and away from high school. I can't recall any stories that begin with 'remember when you...?' Attending would be, at best, an anthropological investigation.

Truth be told, my fellow classmates were anything but accepting, tolerant and open. As a shy, geeky kid with little self-confidence or self-esteem, I had a few close friends as a teenager. I can guarantee that these kids matured into people who, like me, are puzzled by the need to bond with those who, at best, overlooked and undervalued them.

The friends I have today are not people I knew in high school. College, graduate degrees, travel, first an itinerant corporate career and then a career in alternative health care all provided opportunities to meet and know people of enormously varied backgrounds. I am honored and humbled by those I now call 'friend.'

People don't change. Rather than go to The Big High School Reunion, I'll spend my summer focused on another goal. My way of celebrating the Big Anniversary that occurs this year is to sign up for 10 sprint triathlons. There's one in April, and the rest range from June to early September.

There are indeed reasons to remember and reflect. Looking in the rear view mirror gives us a great view of where we've been. Look ahead to keep up the momentum of life -- and meanwhile, be here now.