the more things change, the more we stay the same.

[lagilman]

This evening I did something I haven't done in 20 years. I went to a house in my old home town, where there used to be some pretty amazing parties, and saw people I haven't seen in anywhere from 10 to 20 years.

Some were dear friends back then. Some I couldn't stand. Some I didn't remember. I'm sure I fell into those categories for them,too. But each time someone walked in the door, there was a cry of "oh my god!" and every time a photo was found in the various yearbooks, there were shrieks of laughter (80's hair, dear god, 80's hair) and by the end of the evening we were all, if not friends, then Fellow Survivors, with a bond that transcends mere liking.

High School. Yeah.

And reconnecting with people I've missed in my life --people who knew me before I became who I am -- was the best holiday present of all.

Pamly? If you're out there? You were missed.


(although if one more person said "you haven't changed!" I think I was going to start twitching. I've changed in one very important way --I'm comfortable in my skin now. At 17? I didn't think that was ever going to happen. Hell, I wasn't sure at 25 it was going to happen!)

Comments

[autojim.livejournal.com]

Reunion? Or just a Gathering?

Either way, yeah. I understand.

I was voted "Most Changed" at my 20th 2 years ago. It wasn't physical appearance -- it was the whole "comfortable in my skin now" thing, which in my case also included "not afraid anymore".

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had fun.

[lagilman]

it was a reunion gathering -- multiple years, unofficial, but very definitely a reunion.

(as someone said of the 'official' reunions -- "it was just like every other school event. You went for few hours, then ended up at the diner all night with the people you actually wanted to talk to.")

[nycdeb.livejournal.com]

if one more person said "you haven't changed!" I think I was going to start twitching.

OMG! I get this all the time. People are all, "You haven't changed at ALL! Seriously! At ALL!" and all I can think is "Dear God, I hope THAT'S not true." I feel I've changed enormously inside and out - being told I haven't changed at all makes me think I might be imagining all that progress :-)

[lagilman]

*snicker* yeah. I keep telling myself it's all surface -- I still have the same basic build, all my hair in its original color, and no visible disfigurements, so....

(a friend picked me up at the station and I 95% recognized her... until she started to talk. In the past 20 years she lost her East Coast accent and picked up a Nevada/California one!)

[vincam.livejournal.com]

At my 30th reunion I discovered a lot of cool people I could have known better if I'd been more outgoing. The people I remembered turned out to be not so big a deal, and it was those I didn't remember who had turned into interesting folks. I also found myself reverting somewhat to the old behavior during the evening, which was deeply unsettling. It rattled me enough that I think that might be my last reunion.

High school. Brrr.

[lagilman]

well, this was a somewhat self-selected reunion (the connecting point being the person who used to throw the parties), not an 'official' function. I don't do the Official Functions.

[spiritworld25.livejournal.com]

Very interesting post. :) Nice to see that you all had a nice time at the reunion, or long over-due get together. :) Being comfortable in your skin is the best when ever it happens no matter the age. :)