This past weekend I visited with one hundred people who fifty plus years ago were my whole realm of existence. It was “the high school reunion.” It was a roller coaster ride. It was eye opening. It was mind bending. It was a celebration. It was a memorial. It was exhausting.
The class of 1976 was much larger in number than the folks who gathered this weekend. I made mental note of those not present, many of who I would have greatly enjoyed reconnecting with. I connected with people that I barely knew then but who I have since come to “know ” via sharing on Facebook and such. Also, too many who I mourn the loss of and wishing they were here, and knowing that they would have enjoyed the event.
Relationship [ri-lay-shuhn-ship] Noun 1) a connection, association, or involvement.Synonyms:kinship, alliance, dependenc 2) a connection between persons by blood or marriage.Synonyms:consanguinity, affinity 3) an emotional or other connection between people.the relationship between teachers and students.
Typically of mostly more than middle class, many of us journeyed elsewhere, furthering education, buidling new connections and lives. NOTE: See my post from 10 years ago ReVisiting….
I am 23 years at this address, my home, in a small community that has seen many changes in recent years. Change happens and the older you get the more you realize that you cannot push against it but learn how to work with (or around!) it. But, what struck me most profoundly this weekend was how very much I value my circle of life, roots, my homebase. Being able to see the very same view, travel the same roads, and sometimes know the same neighbors for a life time has a sense of groundness and stability that warms my heart. It’s generational. Is that Legacy?
The Take Aways:
- “Smart Casual” dress code these days mostly means that my pj bottoms match my pj tops. And here I sit; unmatched.
- I haven’t changed my clothes so often in one weenend’s time in as long as I can remember. 3 pair of jeans in 3 days! Usually it’s…..well…see #1above.
- My lanudry hamper runneth over, so again, see #1 above.
- I have a peopleing limit.
- Some people you are not interested enough in to “know” (hence #4), and some you may want to just move in with. NOTE: I am not naming names but there is a mental list.
- If I had a list 50 years ago (see #5), which I know I did not, it probably hasn’t changed much.
- Due to advancing short term memory loss any mental list I may be keeping fades away pretty quickly.
- Talking and eating is very difficult. Talking and drinking, however, is very easy. Too easy. Better if someone else buys the drinks.
- I love my children. I love my grandchilden. I love my life.
- I fully recognize how fortunate I am.
- FDT
