Here I am, once again stepping off the treadmill....still trying to lose the same five pounds that have eluded me for the past 45 years. With this reunion looming before me, I'm making a mental check-list as to other possible areas which need to be tweaked........a nip and tuck? Botox? Really, who am I kidding? I am still the same 18 year old (plus 49 years) I was when we graduated, so what you see is what you get.
Reflecting (which is what I tend to do on this treadmill to alleviate boredom) on the past years, I've come to understand that life is indeed a great leveler. Classmates who seemed to 'have it all'.......brilliant, leaders, talented, popular, great athletes, etc., etc. have experienced highs and lows just like everyone else. We've all had both wonderful and sad things happen. It's life.
To those of you who are contemplating attending this weekend, know that it will be great fun. I may remember you as you were, but am looking forward to becoming reacquainted with whom you have become.
To those of you who have already decided not to make the trip, know that there will definitely be people whom you will disappoint. Perhaps you will reconsider, there is plenty of time.
For sure! I didn't enjoy high school--didn't seem to fit into any of the groups (except the hoods). I didn't go to any of the reunions until the 40th. Whoever wrote the snail mail which reached me did a wonderful job. It was so engaging that I was convinced to attend.
And you know what? All the cliques were gone. Everyone had already achieved or proved everything he was going to, so we were all open. 'What you see is what you get' describes the attitude. I had a wonderful time, then attended the 45th (mini) reunion, and I'm looking forward to the 50th.
I want to clarify that I am not blaming my 'left out' feelings on anyone. Looking back, yes, there were 'cliques,' but I did not experience them as mean and I certainly did not experience, myself, anything like bullying from other students.....I moved to HP one week before school started. People had relationships starting in kindergarten! And perhaps shared outside of school religious experiences. And I was really, really shy and introverted (I know, I can put on a good act!!!). I remember many instances of people reaching out....I take responsibiility for hiding out myself....and my darn father who thought living walking distance from school was the best thing that could happen....and, boy, was I happy when I found my group to sit with at lunch, such wonderful, compatible friends!!!! Heaven!
There was a 40th? A 25th? Either snail mail never caught up with me or I was even more invisible than I realized! I did call the school once, oh around 1993, and asked about reunions. The person to whom I spoke was clearly not aware, but kindly took my name and contact information just in case. Nineteen years later, my information reached someone (thanks, Gerry, for responding!) via my brother's 1962 reunion. At this juncture, I just want to add a note of empathy for Ruth, hoping to lose that extra 5 pounds (I was going for 10-15, but the calendar is now mocking my efforts). Also a note of empathy to Larry and to Kathy, lamenting their uncool status in high school. I recall being bland and insecure in general, competent in music, and wild outside of school--guess which persona identified the next decade or so? My hat is off to any and all who were not limited by their teenaged selves, to those who went on to realize their potential. And to all of us who show up 50 years later--fully competent, somewhat flawed, and eager to share our stories with one another. I look forward to seeing everyone next month!
Ruth, I am sorry I didn't get to thank you at the reunion for all your work and for the great function!! I would recommend everyone attend their reunion based on my experience, what fun, and what an adventure in life.
You signed off, 'See you next July'. I hope there will be another one b/c it was just great...what a collection of personalities! Oh and it was such fun having people call me Jenny b/c I haven't been called that since I left high school except by my family.
Take care,
Jenny
.....hence Ricky and Larry's opening act was the perfect introduction to our 50th reunion. Our classmates were present at Martin Luther King's March on Washington, protested at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, were community organizers, solders in Viet Nam. We straddled the innocent fifties and the turbulent sixties.
Absolutely right about the intro show, Ida.
Larry:
How about making that film available online or via DVD? Also, let's have all of the credits for creative work: concept, editing, music selection, etc. Everyone involved in that production deserves major credit for it.
Thanx ever so much.
Absolutely right about the intro show, Ida.
Larry:
How about making that film available online or via DVD? Also, let's have all of the credits for creative work: concept, editing, music selection, etc. Everyone involved in that production deserves major credit for it.
Thanx ever so much.
They've been online since about five days after the reunion. Click 'Reunions' at the upper left of your screen for Rick's speech with embedded links to the videos.
