25 Year Reunion

I just had my 25 year reunion. One of the spectators at the Homecoming parade had the courage to call me and my classmates old. It took courage because we were flinging candy and beads to people and I for one had purposefully purchased heavy candy. I loudly explained that I was 2 when I graduated in 1984. Haven’t you heard? 40 is the new 20. I told the truth, sort of. To be honest, though, I had not planned to attend anything other than the parade. I enjoy riding on the back of the truck with my friends and acting like a bunch of teenagers. I like waving to the people I know on the roadside. I like the smell of the hay. And I like throwing candy to children and at smart alecks. But I didn’t particularly want to go to the other activities. I felt that I really didn’t have anything in common with my long-gone classmates. I was still “iffy” about it until my friend, Imogene, said something at the Primetimer’s luncheon. She talked about going back home to Virginia for her high school reunion. She mentioned her disappointment that many of her classmates who had never left home did not attend the activities. They did not take into account that those who traveled far to attend had hopes of seeing all of their classmates. After Imogene said this, I knew that I should participate in more than the parade. And I am glad that I did. After 25 years we had more in common than I could have imagined. We had a deeper appreciation for the humanity of each other. In 25 years we had experienced a lot of life. I saw people with hearts wounded from divorce. I saw people struggling to raise their children without losing their minds. I saw people who were moving closer to home to care for aging parents. We reflected on the lives of our classmates who had died too young. We no longer worried what we would wear to the homecoming party. In fact, ours was a casual backyard affair at the home of 2 of our classmates who had married. 5 years ago I borrowed a shiny black outfit to wear to the big reunion party at the Country Club. This year we all wore jeans. And we really, truly talked to each other. And we really, truly listened. I am so glad I went and took the opportunity to get reacquainted with my friends. As we said back in high school: “We are the class of ’84. That says enough. We’ll say no more.” Peace and grace, Rachel “The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God's reputation twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.” Psalms 19:7-10 (The Message)