If it hadn't occurred to me before, returning to my home stomping grounds in Southern Idaho for my 30 year High School reunion helped me understand ~ enough water has flowed under the bridge now for me to be happy.
I graduated from Minico High School in 1979. And then promptly high tailed it out of town. All that occurred after that is a story for another time.
I didn't attend either our 10th or 20th reunions. And until recently had no intention of attending the 30th. But something changed. I can't even pinpoint what it was. I just decided to go back.
I had offered to help the Reunion Organizing Committee find old classmates, post announcements on social networking sites, and later compile a book of pictures and alum contact information. I'm working on that project now. I'm so glad I did offer my help. Not because I was particularly successful at finding people, but because it gave me an opportunity to connect with former classmates, some of whom I probably never spoke a word to in school.
The involvement with the committee also most likely sealed my fate for actually following through and ATTENDING the reunion. I could feel my resistence as the date to get on the plane drew near. There just seemed to be too many other things going on. Fire season was coming. I wasn't packed. I...uh...needed to change the oil in my car. Whatever...I could tell my excuses were pretty weak.
I'm so glad I did get on that plane. It meant so much to me to look through the portal into my past and discover my memories had been a bit warped. It meant SO MUCH to me to be able to wrap my arms around friends I hadn't seen in over 30 years, to find my best friend in Grade School, my best friend in High School and the first boy I ever really loved. Now HOW can you beat that for a successful trip back to a place that always caused me to break into a nervous sweat before?
You just can't. It just doesn't get any better than that.
