it's been 20 since i left high-school. something i don't really think that much about. not because it doesn't matter, rather those days just seem so far from my life today that for the most part i can't recall the finer details of who i was or what thoughts swirled around my brain. the people that i knew have since faded into the backdrop of my life, becoming memories in my mind, characters in a story.
the characters came to life last friday when we gathered round for our 20 year reunion. many traveled to make it, many came a long way, and for that i'm grateful since it meant seeing a childhood friend who now lives in japan. from the second i walked in the door it was a rush of energy. immediately seeing and hugging people who were so incredibly important in my life at that time. as these things go, the venue was much like a bad wedding reception where there is a whirlwind of activity. people talking, music cranked, lines for food and crowds of people to navigate. the conversations were far too short, unfinished, in truth, not even started as you found yourself making eye contact with yet another long gone friend that would kick off the next round of formalities before you could say, no really, how are you? who are you? i don't think i've hugged or been hugged so much within a 3 hour time frame. there were those i'd known since early childhood. seeing them triggered so many feelings. hearing their voice opened this neglected space (think storage unit) in my mind holding so many memories, i was a bit emotional and found myself holding back tears (could've been wine-induced). laughing and recalling the old times allowed us to connect on a common thread regardless of who we'd become as adults. though we may be strangers now, in those moments, these were the people who felt like family. and of these, there were a handful that in this moment have become important people in my life. people i connect with now, regardless of who we were as kids.
the night was a blur, like a dream really, you know the kind where you are in the house you grew up in??? pretty cool (and trippy) to be awake in a dream from 1988.
3 comments:
exactly!
i look forward to seeing you this next week and spending much more qt with just you, bgirl. that will be fantastic!!
I understand the holding back tears part. I felt that way at my last reunion. There's a bittersweet piece to reunions, at least for me. The joy of seeing old friends, yes, but also some grieving for lost years and time gone by.
you make me wish i hadn't blown mine off. although i didn't have that many deep connections since i was always in motion.
sounds like you had fun.
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