Why would I want to go to a reunion?

 Hello, fellow Trojans, and acquaintances, past and present.

I am writing a note as our 40th Class Reunion is coming this weekend. I am not sure that I would say that I am pumped up to go, as, looking at the list of confirmed attendees, I see few that I would consider close friends. Of course, to have close friends attending, would have meant that I had close friends in High School. There were a very few. So why attend? 

Andy Smith, one of those selfless people among many many that have spent hours organizing the events laid out beautifully the why to attend. But suppose that you are someone that doesn't interact with people well, and, through no fault of those other students, has built a wall and moat around themselves, and perceive that no one would care if you showed.

They care. We care.

When you are approaching Social Security age, associations and cliques from your teen years may still exist, or may not, but life has changed many of us. Let me use me as an example.

In High School, I was in band. I also attended an Early Morning class of religious studies with a few students from the class. I won't name them, but they know who they are. Outside of those circles, I spoke to some people, but not many. I was short, fat, had glasses, and poor social skills. Of anyone in our class that would have cause (in their head) to not attend, it would be me. I was so envious of those that could interact so easily with people.

Fast forward 35 years to 2017. The last reunion.

I was no longer as short, but even broader over the years. I was a retired Air Traffic Controller/ Manager and was terrified because of perceptions that I had had of certain people leading up to graduation. I know, Controller, and being afraid of people? Yeah, I was not the stereotypical controller. But I went. I went to the tour, the game, and then the social. How did it go?

Still the introvert, if not even more now. You will no doubt laugh when I say that I had to really screw up courage to go. I did go, I ate, and spoke to everyone that spoke to me. What did I find out? 

Well, either my perceptions of most of my fellow students in high school were dead wrong, which is more likely, or, as people mature, and grow out of relationships and power structures, they are more gracious with their fellow human beings. And I can't dismiss the possibility that it could be both. Regardless...

I had a great time. It was so good to see people that I haven't seen for decades, and to talk to people, and more importantly, people talking to me as if I had some worth. Yeah, self-esteem may be an issue for me. I remained on the periphery for most of the night, moving around, trying to not wear out my welcome when someone engaged me in conversation. But to emphasize the point. I had a great time, and I left feeling really good. 

Andy made a point that we have lost a significant number of classmates. And that over the next ten years, that number is likely to accelerate. A reunion is a good time to renew acquaintances, to make new friends, and to realize that while we all came from different households, and have gone different ways, we have the commonality of being Trojans, Class of 82. We share this heritage, and talking to your fellow classmates, you may learn that you have more than that in common. 

Don't let a lack of funding keep you away. The committee has limited resources to help, and you never know that someone might be willing to help out if you ask. And don't be embarrassed to ask. 

Long live the Trojans! And come to the reunion! I will be there, barring some catastrophe, and hope to see you!