Why Do People Go To ReUnions? – The Behind The Scenes Story of Nativity’s Class of 1981 Grade School Reunion
Facebook is an amazing tool. One day you’re living your life, your past behind you, and then the next thing you know you are talking to folks you haven’t seen in 27 years. That’s what happened to the Class of 1981 from Nativity of Our Lord Church in Warminster, PA, my grade school graduation class. This past Friday night, we decided Facebook postings weren’t enough and that we wanted to meet in person. So, after 27 years (a decidedly odd number of years to celebrate a reunion) we got together for the first time – not all of us, mind you. Out of the 100 or so of us who graduated that June of 1981, there were 30-some at the get-together.
Although the lighting was a bit too revealing for this 42 year old, the atmosphere could not have been better. No bands to drown the conversation, no strobe lights to make us nervous, just wine, snacks, and catching up. The beautiful girls are still beautiful, the smart girls are still smart, the outgoing girls – still out going. And, I can’t leave out the guys. The handsome fellas are still handsome, the charming guys, still charming, and the funny guys are still funny. The change I noticed was the ability of everyone to talk to everyone and the genuine pleasure expressed at seeing each other again. It was so great to see that after spending 8 years in school with these kids that they have turned into such nice adults – clearly a group of genuinely kind wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, friends – just all-around good people.
The reunion also made me think about, in a very Carrie, Sex in the City-type way, why do people like to go to reunions? It’s clear that at first, reunions can be a bit intimidating – one worries, for example, “I’ve gained weight,” “My hair is thinning”, “I haven’t accomplished enough,” to name a few – and yet we still attend. Why? Is there unfinished business, an axe to grind, a connection left, well, unconnected? Or does it have something to do with the fact that we all just want to remember what it’s like to be our “former” selves, just for a little bit, to be around folks who knew us when we were starting out?
For me, I sensed a bit of that longing for my old self. Once you become a full-fledged adult with responsibilities, it’s tough to remember the old you. For example, I found the Nativity 1981 yearbook among my things (Ok, truth is, I have a very special box with my favorite things and it was not only preserved in it’s original plastic folder, but also re-wrapped in cellophane, which worked actually, the thing is in pristine shape!) and the couple times I was mentioned were references to my singing. I showed my family these tidbits and they were puzzled, “Mom Sang? Ha Ha.” Singing was something I really loved to do and I’m thinking about going back to it…just kidding… I’m not. It was just nice to remember something that I did in the past that had nothing to do with what I do now – it adds a new dimension to my story I think…
Perhaps my former classmates feel the same way. Remembering themselves as the class clown, the wittiest kid, the guy who all the girls fawned over, the girl who was so cute, she stopped traffic, the guy who had the talent to make anyone feel like they belonged. Or maybe folks wanted to share how much they’ve changed. The wallflower who feels comfortable in any group today, the guy who seemed to always be in trouble, but who now is the most interesting guy to talk to, the guy or gal who wouldn’t dare to enter a conversation alone but who now has the confidence to show up to a reunion and walk up to any group! Good stuff.
For me, I was proud to introduce my husband to a group of people that I learned with, played with, studied with and genuinely liked. A group who has turned into kind, interesting, and contributing individuals. I hope we get to do it again soon with an even larger group. My apologies to Mike Leib and Anmoreen Monahan – the two people who I didn’t get a chance to say hello to, but who were very nice to see. And, thanks, Pam, for admitting that you, too, saved the yearbook, you made me feel a lot better!
Why do you think people like to attend reunions? Any reunion stories you would like to share?
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