Attended my first high school reunion last night -- of Atholten High School, Simpsonville Md. Actually it was the thirtyfirst reunion, it was just that this was the first one I made it to. For some reason two songs come to mind about the event, one is "Against the Wind" and the other is "Garden Party." I saw a lot of people I hadn't seen in years. Didn't see some I'd like to have seen, and came away satisfied that reunions were probably enough to satisfy my concerns for their well-being and progress. My Then-Closest friends all had such a miserable time in high school that they refused to show. I can understand how they feel.
I loved Atholten, but like most High School experiences it had it's embarrassments and it's disapointments. I probably feel more identification with that school than any of the other dozen or so I attended during my youth. We had a "disasterous school year" sports-wise -- which didn't bother me the least. We had our share of bullies and cliques. And it turns out that all but a small elite felt just as insecure and confused as I felt at the time. I was impressed by the fact that the ones who looked and acted most like Hippies in our school -- everyone of them made out good in the "establishment" after High School. One of the wildest, longest haired, demented guys (in appearance) joined the military and became (apparantly) special forces. We had to put off our reunion because one of those guys was away serving and we couldn't get him back in time for last year.
Most of us made it and were present. There was a short list of who couldn't. I enjoyed everyone's company. Most of them behaved like gentlemen and ladies. It was a good reunion. I'm glad I went to high school with them. My wife and I felt at home.
Chris :-)
Posted by cholte at July 18, 2004 07:39 PM