my class’ 10th year reunion and I wanted to be ready, because I knew I would be
bombarded with the inevitable how ARE you’s and you haven’t changed a BIT’s. All of a
sudden, everyone started to show up…all at once. I was overwhelmed trying to pass out
name tags and welcome people at the same time. My husband had slowly faded into the
background was sitting at a table somewhere. Bill, my reunion committee partner, had
been swallowed by the crowd and was nowhere to be seen. Finally, the craziness died
down a bit and people began to eat, drink and socialize. Time to sit back and assess the
situation. There was a lot to take in, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll give you the major
highlights I promised in my last article:
Observation #1. In the beginning of the night, it didn’t matter who hung out with whom in
high school, everyone was getting to know everyone all over again. Interesting.
Observation #2. About 20 minutes later, the clocks turned back to 1992. Snobby clicks
resurfaced. The football team huddled. The Chess Club planned their next move. The
Snobs made fun of the Chess Club. The football team gave the Chess Club wedgies.
The football team dated the Snobs. You get the idea.
Observation #3. 10 years is not long enough for some people to grow up. One person in
particular never liked me in high school, for some unknown reason. This apparent dislike
for me obviously had not faded because she wouldn’t even come get her name tag from
me in person; she sent someone else. Then she avoided me the entire night. Maybe I
should have just apologized for cutting in front of her in the lunch line. Geez.
Observation #4. Some people don’t change. There were a handful of personalities that
seemed to be only altered in one way; they were amplified. Some of the “pretty girls”
were still flirting and giggling to no end, only louder now. A few of the “hot guys” were still
so keenly aware of their ‘hotness’ and were walking around with an “I know you want me”
expression, while their cologne choked everyone in their wake. Unfortunately, nowadays
it seems like it really takes a lot more than a cute giggle or impressive looks to be
attractive. This is the single most important lesson I learned at my reunion. Read on…
Observation #5. There is one important group of people that I overlooked in high
school…. the people who sat next to me in class. They were always the normal, plain ol’
kids. Nice, but plain. Your average student. A person who never really did anything to
stand out. Someone you talked to occasionally in class, but never outside of it. Well,
guess what. These are the people who really have a lot going for them 10 years later.
These are the people who are FULL of interesting stories and are genuinely interested in
others. These are the people who have blossomed and matured and become
contributors. Back then, they had other qualities that were hidden and that no one paid
attention to. The giggles and looks came later. These are the people that are now
politicians, doctors, nurses and teachers. They are writing for television and winning
Emmy’s. They are pursuing whatever it is their dream may be. They are genuinely happy
people. These are the people I never took the time to know but wish I did.
After meeting all of my Hall High classmates all over again, there was one thing I wished. I
wished that I knew then what I know now. It’s so cliché, isn’t it? However, it’s true. I’m
telling you now, look beyond the giggles and good looks. Don’t disregard the people you
sit next to in class. You never know, one of them may end up writing about you 10 years
later.
