It's A Wrap...

The final blog in the trilogy of my experiences, insights, and impressions of "climbing aboard the way back machine" ...otherwise known as attending my fiftieth high school reunion.

Recently my heart was filled with awe and gratitude as I attended my fiftieth high school reunion. It was held in Indianapolis, a landscape once filled with cornfields and the sound of Indy race cars. The race cars still remain but sadly the cornfields have been replaced by "roundabouts," high-density housing, and ever-present road construction. And while so much had changed, I wouldn't trade my trip down memory lane for anything.

On reflection, the golden nuggets of the past weekend sparkled in the dappled light of fall. A warm and welcoming hug from Trish A., a champion of all things good, was worth the long drive. And looking into the full-of-life face of Chuck VM., filled my heart with joy. What I can't understand is how Sara S. escaped my radar all these years. To think we went to grade school, middle school, and high school together. Go figure. Fortunately for me, we were paired up together and played in the golf tournament. Sara was a kick in the pants and clearly, the type I would have invited to all my sleepovers. Sadly, that ship sailed long ago. For the most part, the conversations were brief yet genuine. And yes, there were "the other kind too..." the kind where you could have gone to Starbucks for a coffee and the other person wouldn't have noticed. In one such conversation, I heard in great detail about one classmate's incredibly smart and over-the-top successful children. ...So much so it was all I could do not to interrupt and ask him to take a breath. I get he is a proud parent. I would be too. It was like being on a teeter-totter and I was the one hanging in the air. Some folks haven't learned that conversations go in two directions. It was also amazing to discover some classmates still feel a need to impress. Really? Aren't we beyond all that? Giving them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they haven't read enough self-help books. The good news is, there is still time. One fellow alum when asked if he was retired paused and chuckled, "No, I am building a plastics injection molding plant in Bulgaria and I recently met a Bulgarian gymnast on the airplane plane when I was flying home. Not wanting to be rude, it was all I could do not to chuckle. The conversation in my head went something like this..." of course you are and do you think anyone really gives a "s***"? Other than you of course? Maybe it is just me, but personally, I found it far more interesting when Susan W., flight attendant extraordinaire, recounted how she recently had a noted figure on board her plane and had a down-to-earth conversation with John Roberts, 17th Chief Justice of the United States. It wasn't about her, it was about her experience. How refreshing!

As the way back machine comes to a close, I am forever grateful to Doug S. and Steve C.

The conversations we shared will be remembered for a long time. As for my tall, dark, and handsome dance partner from Mrs. Kinnear’s cotillion class (otherwise known as the dreaded ballroom dance class on Tuesday nights) Tom D, you still have "it" and Tracy is one lucky woman.

To Jan C., my bestie since middle school, and to all the other kick-ass, vibrant women of the class of 1973, keep chasing your dreams and following your heart. You deserve the best that life has to offer. Now let's get back to living in the present.

With gratitude,

The red cowboy boot lady.