Reunions are a funny thing.
They can bring out the best and the worst in people, often
simultaneously. My 30th high
school reunion is next weekend, and I am looking forward to more of the best
than the worst. I went to my 20th, still thinking I had something to
prove – to whom I’m not really sure. The beauty of my 30th will be the
fact that I just couldn’t give a shit anymore.
We all grow and evolve on our own terms.
It took crossing over the “40” age line before I realized I was just
fine the way I was, physically, mentally and spiritually. After that, things just sort of fell into
place. Too bad we can’t take that
feeling of self-satisfaction and go back to that awkward time known as the “teenage
years” and spend some time reassuring and coaching ourselves through all that
anxiety and self-doubt. We were all just
fine back then. We just weren’t able to see it. At the advanced age of 48 ½ (give or take a
month) I am actually pretty happy in my own skin and that’s a really incredible
feeling. I hope my classmates and
friends have managed to find their “happy place” as well. The ones that I am close to I pretty much
adore just the way they are. They’ve
grown into amazing individuals, each with their own story, complete with
moments of absolute celebration and tragedy.
It’s those moments that make us who we are.
There is a common thread that weaves us all together into a
really beautiful fabric. We all hail
from a small town in Pennsylvania, and from my perspective and the observations
of others, I think we all cherish and treasure that commonality. We are special. We cling to a way of life that allowed us all
to enjoy that “Leave It To Beaver” lifestyle growing up, dotted with memories
of memorial days parades, Friday night football games, the annual carnivals,
and an extreme sense of belonging to something very very good. Life was
simple. Life was splendid. I know I personally didn’t appreciate that
when I was 18 years old and so full of myself, but now…now it has become very
precious to me. Maybe that is what has
drawn me to live in another small town, much further south, but with a lot of
the same values and sense of community.
They do say things like “y’all” a lot down here, and even this Yankee
girl catches herself using such southern phrases, but the reality is Manassas,
Virginia shares more with Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania than I ever thought it
would. I find it completely heartwarming that so many of my former classmates
who left our town after graduation are now back in Tunkhannock, and raising
their own families there. It’s a great life. I just couldn’t handle those cold
Pennsylvania winters anymore.
I’ve also been lucky enough to find a partner and best
friend (it only took me three tries, mostly because I’m a slow learner) who
shares that same affection for small town life.
Indeed, he has lived and worked within five miles of the house we currently
live in (where he actually grew up) his entire life. I love that stability and solidness about
him. I’ve been anything but grounded
over the past three decades, especially the earlier two. He keeps my feet firmly planted on the ground
while allowing me to at least exercise the option to still be myself, and all
that comes with that – most of it a bit on the “quirky” side.
It’s good to remember where you came from. It will help you walk the path to where you
are going. I, for one, am thankful for
Tunkhannock, and all those that remain there.
Next Saturday is going to be special, and that makes me smile.
Looking forward to seeing all of you from the Tunkhannock
Class of 1983. Cheers!
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