A few weeks ago, I attended a school reunion. No, I’m not telling which one! Let’s just say it’s been a while. 
I’m not one of those people who has a problem with reunions. I was happy at school, not bullied, not teased, successful academically, a hopeless swimmer, vaguely athletic. Looking back, I was a pretty insular child, but there was a kind of innocence in that.
This isn’t my reunion, by the way. I went to all-girl school, but it’s representative of the spirit, I think.
Physically, there were changes - more flab, more wrinkles, gray hair. (Although there were a lot more blondes than I remember. Very suspicious. LOL) Generally speaking, as long as you do your hair much the same and haven’t gained or lost huge amounts of weight, you’re going to be recognisable. The School Captain was a stand-out. I could swear that woman hadn’t changed a bit. It’s either clean living or she keeps an oil painting in the attic like Dorian Gray.
But personality-wise? Nope, no change. Women whose company I’d enjoyed when we were teenagers could still make me laugh. We squealed and hugged - then picked up we’re we’d left off at the last reunion. It’s fascinating to catch up on the rich tapestry of other’s lives. Children, careers, marriages and divorces. Good health, bad health.
I had a brilliant time and gave out stacks of postcards and fridge magnets. True to form, some were interested in my writing, others couldn’t care less. But they were all supportive. What lovely people.
Have you attended a school reunion? Or do you recoil in horror from the very prospect?
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My “real” high school re-union: recoil in horror. I think it was because it was a class of over 600
My junior and senior year I went to a technical school where a class of 20 were together for about 6 hours all day learning what we then called “Data Processing”. Some of us were together last fall and it was tons of fun to talk about not only the changes in computers since those days, but to find out who actually stayed in “Data Processing” and who was married and how many times. I very much want to do it again.
I like that tapastery phrase, I too, found it totally fascinating.
I couldn’t beleive how quiet everybody thought I was back in those days. If that was true then maybe I changed more then they did. Then again some of the things that went on at (and after) school that I learned about that I didn’t know went on were quite enlightening. I must have been too quiet in them days.
I went to my 20th a year ago. I was surprised to see that the men had aged more than the women. The stereotype leads us to believe the opposite. I had a great time, but I left sure that I much prefer my grown-up life than any chance to time-travel back to high school. The revelation was great because I’m pretty much stuck with the grown-up life anyway (grin).
Hi Jenny, it’s funny to see how others see us, isn’t it? Sometimes highly disconcerting. Sounds like the shy girl you were has really grown up!
There was one arranged when we were living in WA. (about 20years ago) and we couldn’t come home for it. Would love to catch up on friends and see where they all landed when we got thrown out of high school(just a metaphor
I do love hearing tid-bits from those still in the area, as to how far people ventured and settled. There’s not a lot of US still on the coast that I’m aware of. Some like us went away but were drawn back. Some people stayed and moved a block away from where they lived as kids.
So Denise did anyone marry a real live Prince????
I bet there were some Fascinating tales to tell
I’ll be revisiting Brisvegas around your book launch time to go to my 40th!
The only other one our year had was the 20th. It will be interesting.
Some years have them regularly, but for some reason our year isn’t into that kind of thing.
I shudder to report I was (reasonably) well behaved at school. Only got into trouble for talking too much.
It was amusing how at the 20th, I spent most of my time with the kids who were the rebels. The most notorious of these went on to become a headmistress. LOL.
Not sure if I’ve changed since then or if the rebel was always hiding underneath and only recently found the courage to emerge from its burrow. Hrmph!
Welcome to the Dark Side, Michelle!
That’s really interesting about the men. I wonder if it has something to do with losing your hair, or “letting yourself go”? And I have to say I still feel about 18 in my heart - I’m always so surprised to glimpse this middle-aged woman in shop windows as I pass. OTOH, I wouldn’t ever want to actually be 18 again. *shudder*
Hi Mary, Nope, no one married a real live Prince.
In fact, there were an astonishing number of people on their second or even third marriage. We have a couple of pediatricians, scads of nurses, teachers, librarians, businesswomen and a renowned artist. OTOH, everyone seemed very interested in my books, which was nice. No one else was writing erotic fantasy romance, I can tell you that! 
Hi Alison, I wonder of the rebels were more interesting? Sounds like they may have been, you included, you rebel-at-heart you!
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