April 30, 2012

Unlike my stamina, reunions get better with age...


Wow, what a week.  I do not think I picked up "James Dean" once the entire time.  But playing "hard to get" is good on occasion, keeps the interest level up.  Which brings me right back to my absence...my high school reunion.  Okay SOMETIMES pulling out the "hard to get" card worked in 1977, and other times it was an abysmal failure.  Right up there with polyester and Aquanet.  Blah, blah, blah...yes I was reminded of that with a few reunion sightings Saturday night.  A seventeen year old's judgement isn't always spot on, just sayin'.

This past week, my BFF flew in from Chicago and stayed with me for a few days.  We kvetched, we laughed, we shopped, we drank wine, we laughed some more.  I even subjected her to a spin class where I work out (sorry girl, but you KNOW it was for a good cause and your red face ultimately did fade).  And we also managed to fit in commiserating over our better-halves, the male gender in totality, expanding waist lines, and our shrinking fashion choices as we hit that "no woman's land" of appropriateness that falls somewhere between Lindsay Lohan and Betty White.  In my next life I am going to design a clothing line called "Not Your Grandma's Closet".

When all was said and done, we hit our 35th high school reunion.  And quite honestly, had a blast despite all our trepidations.  Apparently high school anxieties aren't left behind with the Bunson Burners and ugly gym uniforms.  It was quite a cacophony of personalities and life experiences.  I have always suspected that one should never underestimate the ties of a shared history.  Which includes the collective breathing in of the daily stench of sitting in an open windowed classroom  that sits directly across the street from the town sewage plant.   What didn't kill us apparently made us stronger AND buy enough Charlie perfume and Hai Karate cologne to mask the stench.






As in every group that gets together, there were some who certainly have faced what seems to be more than their fair share of obstacles and losses in their lives.  Yet not only have they endured with beauty and grace,  but they literally shine.  I am left in awe and wonder.






And we have also lost members along the way.  Some we have lost physically due to illness.  Some we have lost  due to never having felt the connection or desire to maintain ties to this part of their lives.  And it was as if a piece of us was missing.  As we get older it is natural that a group will dwindle for a variety of reasons.  It reminds me of the dandelion globes I use to blow in the spring  fields while asking the fates "He loves me?  He loves me not?"  If I blew that globe free of seeds the answer was a good one.  If not...it wasn't looking so hot for me. I would watch the individual pieces dance away in the breeze as they caught the sunlight  in search of a new home.  A new place to land.  Dispersed to the fates.  Landing in places and circumstances unknown. Yet hopefully taking root and prospering.  A definite metaphor for life, but at the time...I just wanted a date for Saturday night so I didn't seem pathetic sitting home watching a "Love American Style" rerun.






A reunion is a reminder that no matter how life has blown us on our way and placed us throughout the world on our individual journeys...we all originally came from that same dandelion globe.





That is a shared experience that will always bind us to a certain extent.  And I have come to recognize THAT is a beautiful thing.  Eau d' Sewage Plant and all.

--Kathy


24 comments:

  1. Great pics! High school reunions can be so much fun!

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  2. Ahhh, Charlie perfume. I used to wear that as well. I will sign up for not your grandma's closet. Let me know when your line is up for sale! My reunion is in July. I've got five years on you!

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  3. Wonderful pictures. Reunions always make me nervous but relaxing with a best friend from out of town sounds perfect.

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  4. Love how you got a seed blowing off the globe.....funny I found that a lot of people who still live in the same town that
    we graduated from just didn't show up. It was kindof sad...especially since we drove 1200 miles to see everyone. Glad you
    had fun and geeez...welcome back - missed ya!

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  5. beautiful dandelion pictures!! I haven't gone to my highschool reunion..your post makes me wonder if I should someday... I hope you'll also link up to my Photo Show Off today!

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  6. Kathy, I had a great time and you are the inspiration in that. We did not see each other much at the event so that means a get together must be in the future! Love reading your musings and how you put it in perspective.

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  7. Great post, always, always enjoy reading your excellent prose...glad you are back, glad you enjoyed your friend's visit, glad you enjoyed the reunion....and as always, love your photos.

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  8. I also remember Charlie perfume! All the 'cool' girls wore it...I didn't though :) Love these dandelion pics, they're beautiful shots, especially the macros IMHO

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  9. Your choice of a dandelion to represent your analogy is very true! Each reunion I attend, I'm amazed at how much people have endured. Your dandelion shots are amazing!

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  10. What a great post! Charlie Cologne...one of my favorites back then. This brought back lots of memories for me. Have a good one! I am now a follower! :)

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  11. Stunning photos as usual and loved the humor and thoughtfulness of recalling your youth. I would be your first customer for the clothing line "Not Your Grandmother's Closet" - I've often despaired of fashion for the mature but fun loving woman - I don't want skirts up to my yahoo but don't want baggy things covered in little flowers either - what's a lady to do?! :) Enjoyed the post.

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  12. You have been missed and it's SO good to see your beautiful images and words again. :) I'm glad you had a great high school reunion! I never made it back to mine - I only went to that school for one year (army brat), so I didn't feel any lasting ties. I've always envied those people who grew up in the same place and could develop lifelong friendships!

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  13. Oh what a memory lane! I totally relate to it all. I've got 5 years on you my 40th is in June, YUK! I use to wear Charlie also, too funny:D

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  14. Excellent macro shots.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  15. This is a lovely inter-weaving of words and images...the soft, blowing dandelion bits are a very tender reminder to be gentle with each other as life blows us about...I really, really loved this!

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  16. So glad you had a fun wekend!! Sounds like you went down memory lane with grace and laughter! Love love love the images too!!

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  17. Great post Kathy. Reunions do bring out unexpected emotions and thoughts. I'm glad you had good time to visit with your friend...and NOT your grandma's closet is brilliant. You should patent that now for your next life. I hear ya. Please put a lot of comfortable jeans in your line.
    Happy day to you. Get James Dean back out.

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  18. I LOVE it ! It's full of colours, of feelings and past dreams... You are brilliant !

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  19. Sounds like a wonderful time. I always enjoy stopping in and reading your blog. Your writing style is fab.. And your photos are even more fab!

    Hugs, Linda

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  20. Beautiful photography and quote

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  21. wonderful post, beautiful pictures.

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  22. Wow! So beautiful! I just love the detail and texture!

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  23. Such beautiful photography. And I love the quote, too. Every girl's dream. ;)
    -madi
    http://helloblueeyesphoto.blogspot.com

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  24. Beautifully said!! I have come to the same realization. Also, I realize what a privilege it is to watch someone grow older...... C.

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