Reunion Revelations

This weekend is my 25th college reunion. A time for returning to old haunts, reintroducing oneself to former class mates and reminiscing with long lost friends. A weekend filled with all sorts of activities, planned events and impromptu gatherings. Sounds great! And yet, I chose not to go.

This decision is probably not a big surprise to others in my class who remember me. I was never much of a joiner. And as much as I would have liked to be there, the distance and timing didn’t make sense for me. Not this year anyway. But I am pleased. I realize that the reasons I am not going are to attend to my life here, not to avoid my past.

I would have imagined that I would skip my reunion because I am feeling self-conscious and unhappy; worried I am overweight, under accomplished, and unemployed. Sure, I wish I were in better shape. I would love to be returning to campus to look for my (as yet unpublished) books on a shelf in the library or the bookstore. How cool would it be to be able to use the weekend to network and get more people involved in the amazing nonprofit I might have started. I am certainly not where I would have imagined myself 25 years ago but I am pleased with the journey I am on. Twenty-five years ago I couldn’t have imagined who I am right now, nor could I have imagined being this comfortable with myself or this happy with my life.

I am enjoying this weekend with my family. I am getting to cheer for my son as his baseball team defends their lead in the league. I am helping my daughter with her poetry writing. Last night we shared an evening with good friends over a homemade dinner. My husband and I have even spent time together while we were both awake! And we still have a day of the long weekend left.

Friends from college who made it to the reunion: I would love to hear stories. Friends who didn’t return: I would also love to hear what you are doing. Even though this weekend wasn’t the time for it, I do hope that we will find ways and reasons to reconnect.