Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Going Home Again

In 1982 thirty-eight kids donned graduation gowns and caps and set off to find their way in this big world. Some of them found their spot in far away places, some not so far from their childhood back yards. Some have had smooth sailing, some a rougher road to travel.

Seventeen of those kids got together this weekend and realized twenty-five years later, we all still feel a bit like 18 year olds now and then. We had a great time reminiscing, catching up on each others lives. With such a small group you also knew your classmates parents and siblings. Updates on families, careers and hobbies filled conversations. We had a lot of laughs about the past sprinkled with a few "did we really do that?"

We walked through the old high school which sits ready for kids, but other than a few rooms is no longer used by the school district. Enrollment has shrunk to the point that all twelve grades can fit in what was once the elementary and middle school. I expected things to look smaller but all was as I remembered. We walked up the stairs towards the science room and you could still smell the formaldehyde from dissections of years ago. We remembered teachers and who used to smoke in the bathrooms. I heard stories of underground tunnels that I never knew existed. Walls were lined with framed photos of each graduating class and we stopped to point and look for siblings and friends.

We walked a few blocks up to the street dance and searched the crowd for familiar faces. Ran into quite a few old neighbors and friends. The DJ called for the "Class of 82" to get up on stage a couple of times and we sang and danced along to "We Got The Beat" and "Paradise By The Dashboard Light." Our 18 year old inner selves were strong in us by that time - at least until it came time to jump OFF the stage.

It was a great time and some of us have decided five years is too long to wait to see each other again so we'll make informal plans to gather once a year.

My Three for today:
1. The AC in my office works great. (It's hot out there today.)
2. All three kitties were soaking up the morning sun on the step this morning when I walked outside.
3. Hubby is home today and I'm going to take him out for lunch.

6 comments:

Sornie said...

It is hard for me to imagine such a small class. Sounds, at least, like you had fun.

lime said...

glad you had a great time. i feel that way about college pals.

Anonymous said...

What a great gathering - good to know you had a great time!

Hope your lunch was great too:-)

Unknown said...

I have yet to go to one of my high school reunions. Then again, I'm not sure I'd really want to go, anyway. At least not until I'm filthy rich.

Jocelyn said...

Terrific feeling of nostalgia here. I skipped my reunion a couple years ago--but always hit my college reunions.

Bone said...

There were 91 in my graduating class, and most everyone always thinks that's a small number.

Sounds like your reunion was what a reunion should be. I'd go to mine if a walk thru the high school was guaranteed :)