Let me step back. I graduated from Brooklyn Technical HS in 1983; after graduation I started college in the fall; I went to City College of New York (CCNY) and majored in Computer Science. I graduated from college in the fall of '87, started working and got married in March of '89.
After getting married and having children in rapid succession, HS was the furthest thing from my mind. Time marched on and so did I. I became aware that homecoming always took place in April. I missed the 20th reunion because I had just had baby #4 and was in no mood to re-connect with anyone. Then I moved to the West Coast, life happened, a brother died and I started to think about the frailty of life. My brain started to wonder about some of my classmates particularly the track team, since they became my salvation (in a manner of speaking) at Tech. Because of the team I had a social outlet, and really got to know my teammates. Tech is a very large school that focused on math and science; anyone who attends takes a test for admittance. Somehow I passed the test and was able to attend this school. Our graduating class was around 1400 students. Considering that I was very quiet in HS there is no way I could have even known half of my graduating class. As an aside, before I left for NY, I found out that there's a Technite at my church from the class of 78 - we are everywhere!
After committing to attend the reunion, as the days got closer I became apprehensive. I'm not the same person I was in high school. Back then I was reserved and quiet with a strong moral center. I had strict Christian parents and I absorbed most of their lessons. I wasn't a troublemaker but I looked for ways to have some fun. Today, I'm not so reserved and quiet. I wondered, would I recognize anyone? Would anyone recognize me? Would it feel like HS all over again?
Well, it's been 30 years and I'm sure the memories were a blur for quite a few of us. But we pushed through, reconnected and had a ball!
cheesing in my dress |
old friends - if you zoom in to the nametag you can see what i looked like in HS |
we went to middle school together |
Track team |
Track team |
If the feelings that I experienced this weekend, are a fraction of what I will experience when I get to heaven - I can't wait until I get there.
Have you ever attended your HS Reunion? Was it a good time or did you just survive it? What would you say to your HS self?