Reunion Ruminations

Ahhhh...summer's here, and with it, the many gatherings of family and friends, both loved and feared by all. Yes....I'm writing about reunions today. My nine hour drive from my most recent reunion, provided plenty of time to reminisce, and compelled me to write my rambling thoughts. If only I can remember them, now, amidst the competing "songs of the 80's" earworm. Presently, Rappers Delight. (Cracks me up at the same time it makes me want to dance!)


It's always important to have a place to reunite, and as it's been SOOOOO long since I've written, I have come to CasaTini to reunite with my Grandpa's recliner. Thoughts seem to spill out here. And, as I look at the most recent picture I've taken of my little cabin, my first thought is: "Wouldn't THIS be a great place for a reunion?!" Hmmm...plumbing might be a good addition.

A bit of personal history: I went to high school for two months, at a school I'd been anxious to attend, with friends I'd known since I was eight years old. In the early part of my Freshman year of high school, my family moved away. Out of state. Out of the world of northern accents, relatives, lakes, snow, and..."my people". I was devastated, and chose to go back every summer. But I kept in touch, by writing hundreds of letters. God has blessed me with friendships that have lasted all these years, and my "two-months-of-high-school" classmates kindly include me in their reunions. I can't wait - because that reunion comes up in August.

I dreaded that move. Mom said I'd make new friends. I didn't want new friends I liked my "old" ones. But God is good....and had great things in store for me....

...and this is where my happy, bubbly feeling comes from THIS week. Because when I went to register for classes at my new school, (I, the girl with the funny accent, who did NOT grow up with these kids who were well into their "cliques" already), I met a girl, who called her friends, who called me to welcome me, and met me at school my first day....and are STILL some of the most wonderful people I know. I'm teary just writing about them.

So...the reunion. Not everyone loves reunions. They can be intimidating, for many reasons. I love them, because I know I'll see my "core" group of trusted comrades, and anyone else I see is just frosting. Not everyone feels that way. Some people don't like to be seen, or don't enjoy small talk. Many people fear judgment, or judge others...literal "class" differences seem to be magnified as we age. Reputations established long ago, which may not even apply anymore, are often assumed to be "the same"...when, in fact, so many aspects of life have changed for everyone. And sometimes, changed back, again. The scary part of a reunion...is taking that first step through the door.
(This is the door to CasaTini. Custom made by my husband, who built this 10x10 cabin.)

Truly...after getting through the "what am I going to wear" preparation, and the apprehension of entering alone, or making sure friends arrive at the exact moment I do, the fun begins. Because everyone who shows at these reunions, is there because they figure it's worth getting past the "junk". They just want a connection to a less-complicated time of life, because, doggoneit....life has it's ups and downs for us all. (Especially the flight attendants among us, but that's another blog.) It seemed to me, there was a LOT of laughter, and the smiles were contagious. The unfortunate part, was that I left feeling as though I had many unfinished conversations, that I'd like to have continued. The fortunate part, was I left with more friends from high school than I actually had when I was there. The reunion ended a day later, where many folks had their pictures taken on this beautiful butterfly bench:(...bench custom made by my high school friend, who made it for his wife, another high school friend!)

If there were a point to this blog, I guess it would be this: Take the joy you can get, when you can get it. Show up...to the reunions of life, be they large or small, with family or friends. Call the people you find to be a pleasure, and be a joyful pleasure to those who may need it. Pray for your friends, old and new. Thank God for your acquaintances...their value may be greater than you think. (Can you tell I'm a preacher's kid?)

To steal a quote from my niece, that is a good rule of thumb for any reunion: "Life is short. Talk fast." My next reunion is "up north"...where talking fast is no problem. Keeping the mosquitoes out of the mouth while talking....now that's a problem.