A few months ago, I had a startling revelation. One that was quite a shock to my being.
I wrote about it here.
I really did contemplate going. After all, I still like going "home" again. It always makes me feel closer to my Mom and Dad and my care free days of a lovely childhood. I lived where everyone knew your name and you didn't even have to be in a bar.
And I did love my school years. I was lucky compared to a lot of kids. I'm afraid I didn't do what I could back then to help those kids that were teased. I'll always regret it but I do what I can today for this generation. I was involved in all sorts of activities, walked to school and had my fair share of friends.
Yes, I had plenty of awkward moments too. I was teased, a lot. Who wasn't? Somehow, I just learned to let it roll off my back. I got along with most everyone but I never really felt like I fit into one specific group. In fact, I still feel that way! But thanks to my Mom and a few good teachers, I got involved in school. I learned so much more by being in drama, talent shows, Future Homemakers of America (*gasp* how politically incorrect), etc. than I did in my classes, I think.
I digress. Tomorrow begins my 35th reunion. I won't be going. At times like this, it's not always easy being a single Mom. I'll be there in spirit though. I've spent all week greeting everyone in my mind and thinking of what I'd say to them. In fact, I've even been having dreams about them!
I'm not sure if any of them read my blog but I'd like to say a few things to them:
To the cutest couple in class: I'm so happy you're still together after all these years.
To my drama buddy: I'll never forgot your red VW Bug.
To those we lost: You went far too soon and you are missed.
To each and everyone of you, you carry a very special place in my heart. It's true, you can't go home again but you CAN carry the wonderful memories of a delightful past with you....forever.
Love,
Jill
26 comments:
That is a lovely post Jill
and I'm sure they will be thinking of you too.
Take care
Fiona
Sorry you won't make it to the reunion, but I love that your memories live on!
this is awesome jill, i graduated high school in 1976 also. my 35th reunion is in 3 weeks and i shutter when i think about it. i have been talked in to going by friends but i really don't want to.
the "jury" is still out....i'm not sure what to do?!?!
It's a shame that you can't make it, I wish I had one to go to! No, I did not graduate, I got stupid and got married - not smart for a straight A student, HUH? I did get my GED over 10 years later, though. I'm just remembering all the friends I had, and didn't have. I guess the demon in me would like to see a few of the "snobs" with their fat bald husbands. :-) My best friend did graduate and she tells me all the gory details after she has gone to one of the reunions, and I'm a little jealous!
It's sad for me to hear that this one had passed, and that one was killed.
BTW, I am curious.... who's Mickie? re: your last comment on my blog.....
I do hope that some of your classmates read your blog and extend your thoughtful greetings. My hubby and I graduated together -
went our own directions in life and married 30 years later. We just went to our 40th reunion. It was a lot of fun.
'hugs from afar'
It's a shame you can't make the reunion. Sometimes life gets in the way. I finished school in 1977 - so long ago now. I've never been to a reunion (don't know if there ever was one) but I don't know if I would go to one.
isn't it funny how this group of high school peers/friends/frenemies/rivals continues with us throughout our lives? we still continue to hold ourselves up against them somehow even years later...
I feel the same way about reunions. I've never been to one, though I am curious about what's become of everyone.
Our old high school was torn down, which is a shame in more ways than one. It was a huge brick thing, with osk floors and real slate chalkboards, and a grand double staircase in the entry. The massive stone treads were worn down in the middle from generations of students. Everything about it said This is important. This matters. This is for the ages.
Loved the building, loved learning, loved a lot of my classmates. Still, I never really wanted to go back.
Jill what a beautiful post!! Well done my friend.
I graduated in 1967 from one of the newer schools in our city back then, W. G. Enloe High School. Due to overcrowding at that time the it was for grades 7-12. I went there the entire 5 years...due to being new each grade was small. My graduating class had ~160 or 170 in it.
I went to my 20th but that was it.
Hugs C
Nope, I don't go either...My parents moved so much, I really wasn't close to any of my classmates....but you never know what you'll find!
hughugs
Only went to my 10th! That was a LONG time ago! lol
Hope some of them are reading, Jill, that would be so nice!
My 35th was this summer and I didn't go either. Unlike you, I had no real desire to. Facebook keeps me in touch with many old high school friends. I am thankful for that. I hope they read your blog.
:-) It is always so brave to post which reunion it is, because then everyone knows your age...
This reminded me of the Cheers theme song:
Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your AGE!
I loved school and I didn't graduate ~ got married and had a wonderful baby and Dave and I are still married after 50 years. Next Fall it will be my 50th class reunion and I will be going..My class insists on me coming..we have reunions every 5 years. Sorry you will not be going to your reunion ~ you will be missed..
When I drive 650 miles to see my classmates I hate it when the classmates that only live 5 miles away don't come. Being a single mom is hard and I know if you could join your classmates you would be there.High School memories are always there...
Have a blessed day~~ you are tiggeriffic~! ta ta for now from Iowa:)
a red vw bug, huh? sounds cool:)
so many of us learn social experiences in high school, not much in the classroom.
I can remember graduation - that was 40 years ago - doesn't time fly? I think they will remember you!
Jill, What a "sweet" post. I think you shared thoughts and feelings that all of us have had, and it is kind of nice when someone puts them down on paper. You'll have to make it to your 40th
one for sure. It is funny how some of those people who never spoke to you in HS are quite friendly after 40 years. Have a great weekend. Mickie :)
very nice! sorry you can't go- I'm sure you'd find that many of those who didn't act right in school have managed to grow up. And, of course, some of them won't! But, who cares about them? Any full grown adult who can't be "real" is just a waste of time in my book. I don't mean that to be ugly- just that if they were mean and have stayed mean - well, I know where to hide the body. lol - you really must go to your next reunion- and take cards for your blog! it's awesome! :)
I wish you could go to your reunion. Glad you blogged about it to us. You are so cute rehearsing what you would say. Being single parent has to be a huge struggle at times like this. Wish I could sit with your kids so you could attend. Do you know anyone that could keep them for you?
My graduation was a few years before yours, but this year is a "banner" year for my class too. And we aren't having a reunion. It was discussed, but no one took any action.
I know you'll be thinking of your classmates.
(and when I was in school, there were many more kids who weren't teased than those who were....! Guess some of us were just more vulnerable. Notice I used the word WERE????)
It's nice that you have fond memories of your last few years of school and that you made the most of it. My 30th would have been 3 years ago. :)
Jill that is a very lovely post and i really do hope that they read it!
I have not been to many reunions (to young i guess) but i think it would be lovely too see long lost friend and not so friends to see how they are doing!
Thanks!
Leontien
I just went through all of your posts the ones I have missed because life can be crazy... Love the henna work and all the photos from festival.
This letter to your high school class made me cry it must be that I am just too emotional at the moment.
Have an awesome weekend.
My class just had it's 30th reunion and I wasn't able to attend mine either. We just had too much going on over the summer and I wasn't able to make it. But I do keep in touch with many of my classmates via facebook and my blog and it's so wonderful to talk to them and catch up.
This was a beautiful post. I hope your classmates do read your blog and I'm sure you will be missed!
Maybe you can make it to the 40th!
Jill, I've been back to a few of my class reunions ... did the 35th. Only had a class of 80 kids, so pretty tight bunch growing up. I loved high school, was involved in everything ... drama was my fave!!
But, I'm a very different person now than then! And glad I left our small town.
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