Why High School Reunions Get Better with Age
Posted: Wednesday, November 09, 2011
by Nancy Daniels
Voice Dynamic
This past September, I attended my __th high school reunion and it rocked. No, not the music. Was there music? I don’t even remember. What made it rock was the comradery, the fellowship, and the joy of seeing people that I grew up with, a few of whom I have known since kindergarten. While I wouldn’t ‘give a nickel’ for some of my earlier reunions, it is these later ones that count.
I have managed to attend all my reunions even when I lived Canada which is surprising because I didn’t really enjoy high school. I did well in school but I didn’t particularly want to be there. There were cliques; there were good kids; there were bad kids; there was verbal abuse; there was fierce competition; there were embarrassing moments; and, there were some rewarding ones as well. And, all of that was occurring when discipline, respect, and obedience were still part of the picture in education – certainly not what we see in schools today.
What was missing at this latest reunion, however, was any degree of competition. You were not hearing how great everyone was or how great their children were nor were you hearing how successful they were in their careers. What you heard, instead, was how life was treating them – where they were living or how many grandchildren they had. They talked about looking forward to retirement or the fact that they would not be retiring in the near future. Maturity had finally set in.
What surprised me was the amount of caring I saw and felt from everyone I talked to. In fact, I spoke to people who, 20 years earlier, wouldn’t have bothered to talk to me and I probably wouldn’t have bothered to talk to them either. In the process, I discovered some wonderful people who I felt like I was meeting for the very first time. People who shared their joys and their pains honestly and openly. It was incredibly refreshing.
If you have not been attending your high school reunions, I urge you to reconsider. The memories you will share and the relationships you will renew or even begin are worth more than money can buy. You will not be disappointed. I guarantee it.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Well said and refreshingly honest. Cut to the core of our generation and what's becoming important.Thanks Skeeter. And thank you also for your FB response.
Hi Nancy. Very warm and honest. I haven't been to any of my reunions. Mainly because it's made up of a group of people who already get together several times throughout the year. It feels like the invitation is a show; perhaps an invite with the hope that the answer will be "not attending." Your story gives me hope, maybe in the next few years that will change and everyone will truly be welcomed. Thanks for sharing this great story! Hugs, TAt my reunion, everyone was welcomed. You should give it a try. Thanks for reading, Teresa.
It was positive to hear of what for most is dreaded, or tired. You did a great job of putting a new twist of positivism on it. I thought that was excellent.We will certainly never get all to return -- not even some of those who still live in the area; but, it is interesting to see who does show up. Thank you for your comment.
I enjoyed your article very much, Nancy. I have no high school reunion to attend, since I did not graduate, (I decided I knew everything when I was 16).
Great job here!Ken, you don't have to graduate to be welcomed. I bet they would be delighted to see you.
Thanks,
I've been to the reunions and I have to agree the latest was the best. All the competitiveness and superficiality seemed to have left the room; only an honest exchange and interest in each others personal joys, passions and latest pastimes bubbled up. The high school memories didn't fade in spite of the years and were the source of a lot of laughter and gratification that we were no longer in high school.Williams, I like your word, superficiality. You hit the nail on the head. Thank you.
Nancy,
I have never attended one of my high school reunions. After reading your article, I have placed it on my list of things I MUST DO.
Thanks for sharing your experience..
Winifred Bragg .
I rated this as a five.
I am not sure what happened above.
Winifred Bragg
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