My highschool graduating class had our 1st reunion ever this past weekend. It was our 25th anniversary since graduating. Shut up, I know that’s fucking old.
I’m not sure I really wanted to attend this event. Leading up to the weekend I kept debating with myself whether I would go. I asked my friends and family…”What for? Anybody I had wanted to see I was probably already in contact with all these years. If God wanted me to see these people he wouldn’t have created Graduation”
Yes I know, it was a very antisocial and negative view of an event that was meant to be fun. I knew deep down that these people who I knew all those many people I had once attended school with did nothing wrong to me. While I was kind of the awkward “geek” type in school….I actually somewhat managed to come through the whole high school experience reasonably unscathed. I made friends with just enough of the cool crowd that I was reasonably left alone. But yet somehow the whole mention of my high school and anything associated still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I couldn’t put in words why I was so dreading this event. If it wasn’t the classmates, perhaps association with highschool brought up all the awkwardness of my high school life back again? The awkward school crushes, the bad fashion choices, the after-school fight call-outs, etc. It’s just….YUCK! I want nothing of that…If I could “Eternal Sunshine” my mind to erase all that from my brain I’d do it.
The rational side of my mind decided to go anyway.
Of course, end of the day, it went well. I was actually pleased to see all those who attended. Even those that I didn’t care so much for back in the old days. A couple friends whom I hadn’t seen at all for the 2 dozen years. Yes there was some vindication seeing my life turned out better than some….all those years I spent trying to wipe the awkward out from my life somewhat feels like it paid off. Terrible I know, but I won’t bullshit.
Now they’re saying we’re going to try for another one of these in 5 years. SHIT.
(Photo: Marcie Casas)