Remember When...

© rosinka79

I've written a lot over the years about the important role photography plays in helping us savor the past. I've shared just about every poignant quote I can find about memories, old photographs, and even friendships. Well, this morning I'm stuck finding the words to describe everything I feel after Sheila and I attended a high school reunion last night.

It started with a little get together on Friday night, followed by an alumni picnic and ending with the grand finale, the actual reunion. There's an art form I have yet to discover when bombarded with people you haven't seen in years. The plethora of feelings compares to a little kid on Christmas morning not knowing which package to open first.

I went to sleep last night thinking about the people I missed saying goodbye to. Then came the ones I never had a chance to talk to, followed by a list of wondering what's going on with old friends who didn't attend the event. But here's the fun of it all - it just doesn't matter. It's a time when superficial conversations reign as King, and it's okay because the clock is ticking.  You're caught in a super market sweep game show, fighting to see how many old stories you can pack into your cart!
 
So, here's the point this morning - every year each one of you gets an invitation to a high school reunion. You'll wrestle with the idea of going. The older you get, the more you'll wish you had stayed in shape. You'll use whatever excuses you have to measure your success or lack of it, as a reason to go or not. In the end, many of you will rationalize you weren't that friendly with that many kids back then anyway.

Well, take it from this old fart - put all your insecurities away and just go. You'll be surprised to find the number of new friends who come into your life and how kids you never hung out with become friends years later. The common denominator is simply living life and surviving the challenges that randomly come our way.

One of my favorite quotes is from Tennyson, "I am a part of all that I have met!"

I've got a big smile on my face thinking about all the people who were in my life so many years ago. Each of us are one brick in the foundation of everyone who's been in our life. So, the next time you're trying to decide whether or not to go to your high school reunion, follow Nike's slogan and JUST DO IT!

Wishing everybody a terrific Sunday and a day of peace and here and there fun reflection. Go for those eleven-second hugs and cherish those people most special in your life. And to Terry, Denny, Don, Mike, Bill, Adolph, Ed, Dave, Jim, "Sam," Neal, Karyn, Linda, John, MaryLou, and Greg, along with everybody I'm forgetting this morning- what a kick to get together - even if it was just for a few minutes!

Happy Sunday everybody!