Class Reunion

Sadly, I've reached yet another milestone in my life, the 40th reunion of my graduating high school class. Yes, I'm old. This is a fact not lost on me. Whenever I encounter a former classmate, immediately after our initial surprised greeting, there is a pause, followed by an exasperated and shared simultaneous utterance, "We're old!" (But, I must admit in a vain - and I mean this in both definitions of the word - way, I still look pretty damn good for an old guy!)

Interestingly, nobody in my graduating class, specifically the class officers, wanted to take on the responsibility of organizing a reunion. Former classmates asked me if I had heard anything about an upcoming event. No, I had not nor had they. Ultimately, I decided if nobody was going to do it, then I would rise to the occasion. After all, it is our 40th. I reasoned that this way I would have the power to fashion the event to my "vision" of a successful reunion.

I had participated in the planning of my 30th and part of the criticism of that reunion was attributed directly to my influence. I had been told by somebody in the class before mine that they had held their reunion at our old school. The school provided catering at a reasonable price and he claimed it was a big success affording everybody the opportunity to see the old school, have a nice meal and mingle. I campaigned for our reunion to be held at our school. In short the food was mediocre even for the price, the setting was a little depressing (being held in the cafeteria area where no amount of decorations could enhance the dismal room. True, it was our old school, so what more could you expect by way of a lavish room? Nonetheless . . . ) and overall, perhaps the school was best left in our "enriched" memory rather than presented to us in its stark present-day reality. So perhaps part of my motivation in assuming command of our reunion was as a means of atonement.

Luckily, I had been in discussion with two of my former classmates regarding our reunion. Both were on the 30-year planning committee with me so I was not alone. We reasoned that although we could enlist the aid of others, perhaps it would be better to keep our number small. This would enable us to make decisions swiftly without a large group consensus and we could justifiably organize a simple, uncomplicated reunion that could be executed nimbly since we didn't have much time. After all of these years, you'd think my cynicism would have kicked in to warn me, but almost immediately after announcing that I was taking on the reunion, criticism (and offers to help) ensued. How word of my efforts spread so quickly I'll never know. Classmates emerged from the woodwork. Admittedly, I was offended and angered by the criticism and suggestions from the once silent, non-existent contingent. My initial reaction was to ignore my classmates and proceed accordingly, but later I decided to allow them a forum to provide their input to ultimately diffuse their post-reunion criticisms.

I extended an invitation to all interested parties to meet to discuss their ideas, argue for my original concept and gain some sort of consensus going forward. In the end, nine people attended. At the conclusion of the meeting, my ideas were supported and embraced overall with the added benefit of additional support in implementing the reunion. We will be having a reception at Phillips Gallery in Salt Lake City on a Friday night in August. There will be hors d'oeuvres, drinks and an open bar. My main conceit is that nobody likes a sit-down dinner with an exorbitant price as a venue for a reunion. Primarily, people just want to visit, move about freely and re-connect with old friends. A reception in a nice setting provides just such an opportunity. Classmates need only show-up, pay the admission price and visit to their heart's content.

I did have difficulties during the initial planning session. Everybody wanted to catch-up and as mentioned, some had opposing views regarding the reunion. It was aggravating for me. When I complained to a friend, she asked me why I would volunteer to spearhead the reunion. I wasn't particularly popular. Truth be told, I was pretty much under the radar. I didn't form a lot of friendships and those friendships that I did form have not particularly endured over the years.

I suppose my motivations are numerous. As mentioned above, there is the atonement thing. I feel badly that the main criticism for the last reunion was directly attributable to me. Perhaps another motivation is to attempt a "do-over" of my time in high school. I never felt like I took full advantage of the social and enjoyable possibilities back then, hampered by my massive insecurities and shyness. Perhaps it is a nice distraction from my recent diagnosis of prostate cancer while I decide upon what course of treatment to ultimately undergo. Perhaps it is just the enjoyment of planning a social event. It is oddly stimulating, amusing and fulfilling to me. (Somehow working on the reunion has brought me back to that scrawny, shy high school kid. I LIKE that kid even though he may not have liked himself very much back then. I feel more complete, more whole - myself re-invented. I am the product of all of my experiences and I have re-animated that more vulnerable, insecure part of me that also possessed more hope, more optimism and wonder. I am younger, less cynical, more joyful.)

Whatever the reason for engaging in the planning of my reunion though, I AM having a good time and I'm confident that a good time will be had by all.