This is in response to an article I came across today called Why I'm Not Going to My 50th High School Reunion.
I completely understand the author of the article. I've only gone to my 10th (at pressure from my parents), 30th (because I was going to be in town) and now, I'm going to my 40th.
But, like the article's author, I really don't care about these people anymore. I don't say that with any negative feelings, though. Simply put, I haven't see some of these people in at least 10 years and most of them in 30 or more years. There's no one I've "kept in touch" with or I really want to see again.
The reunion "committee" (I applaud them for taking this work on) sent out a list of classmates that they couldn't find. Going through the list, I can see several that I understand why they would not want to be found (sorry, not naming names here). They also have a list (sadly, too long) of classmates who have passed. Some I knew passed and some I didn't.
Going through the list, there was no one that I thought I really need to catch up with this person.
So why am I going?
Well, first, we can easily work it in to our schedule. We already have to to 1/3 of the way there that Saturday anyway. We can stop in and say "hi" to mom, which she'll like. Spend no more than a couple of hours at the reunion and then go home.
But the main reason is that some of these people I have literally known all my life. The first school picture that I have, from nursery school - that's pre-kindergarten - shows some of these people. And I'm curious (yes, that would be the word) as to how these people turned out after 40 years.
Addendum:
At my 10 year reunion, there were a large number of people. But none that I was really friends with in High School. I knew most of them, but they weren't what I considered "friends". The dynamic here was still very much like High School, even though (most of us) had grown up.
At the 30 year reunion, things were... interesting. By this time I had lost most of the weight that I had put on and was actually thinner than I was in High School. I was also more outgoing and had a girlfriend (who is now my wife). Some people were very friendly to us - especially the few that I knew from Nursery School. Some were cold to us - but they were enemies in High School. I guess some people just can't let go. But there were others who were friendly to me in High School but were now more than a little cool to me for some unknown reason.
I have no expectations for my 40th. It is what it is. But it will also be interesting no matter what.
