39 years and holding

Last night was the 39th reunion of my high school graduation. We combined it with 72 for their 40th. I've been thinking these last 24 hours or so why these "reunions" are so important. I've lived a whole life in 39 years since school. I've lived in 3 states and experienced all kinds of good and bad stuff. I've ended up with a top-notch husband, 4 children and 4 grandchildren (so far). Most of the last 39 years has been much more kind to me than high school was. Yet, I still keep wondering what it was about those 4 years of high school relationships, or maybe even 12 years (in the case of Trisha and I) that made such a huge impact that has stayed with us all these years. Frankly, I still don't know. But, this I know. Most of us "grew up". We stopped most all the cliquish stuff. For the most part the groups that stuck together were, in some parts, still together, but we mingled. We didn't hold old grudges or old social stuff. We didn't care if we were up on the dance floor with a bunch of girls. (I noticed '73 was on the floor more. Will 1 year make that much difference?) We didn't care who'd "made good" or who didn't. So here is why I think these reunions make a difference. Even now, in our every day life, we have to deal with the cliques and all the crap that comes with modern day relationship. But, here, in this closed community of classmates, we are on even ground. We all (well...most all) know where we came from and no longer care, because the relationship of childhood means more. We can "let our hair down" and no one will judge us, because we are all from the same place. And, in reality, we don't care anymore if we are judged by childhood friends. We have another life at our disposal. (At least most of us do). At least that's where I am. The best part? Seeing friends just as beautiful as 39 years ago. Some more so. A few pounds here, a few wrinkles there, but the smiles, the eyes, the souls are more tender and very recognizable. Most of us have mellowed and have found our place at last. Some of us have become closer than we were in high school and some of us who were close... well, one day in 39 years and it still all comes together. Gertrude Stein said that "We are always the same age inside" and in some ways that is true.. only my outside is 57, but I think Albert Einstein said it best for me, “People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live...[We] never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born.” Thanks for the memories, most those of new, not of old ~ though some of those were good too <3 "I can see clearly now the rain is gone...." CCHS class of '73