Reunion

Oh boy, where to begin? Some twenty years ago I graduated from high school and since then I have maintained few of those relationships. Jimmy the Jag being one of the exceptions so I was incredibly surprised this past week when many of my classmates heaped praise and time on me. I was awash in good feelings and with the exception of the "Sean is gay" rumor it was a total blast. The gay comments I took as meaning that people noticed my excellent choice of shoes. Hey I live in SF and yes I moisturize so I can see how a few people might get confused. I liked the fact I could get away without wearing a nametag and I also like the way I was able to reconnect with some really incredible people. They were then and they still are. My friend Sondra told me that you can't buy class and these people prove that point. I know more than a few folks who still have issues with their high school experiences but I am not one of them. I had a great time back then so I was very excited to see everyone again.

My prom date Cathy was a total joy to see again. She helped coordinate the event and it was by all accounts, my own included, a smash. The reunion team rented the top floor of The Big House in downtown Albany and provided a dj. This was just perfect since we all wanted to mingle and talk anyway. The ten year had included a dinner but that just slowed down the party. This time we had all the time to talk and move around. I gushed when I saw one of my old girlfriends and I blushed when I was grabbed and kissed for real. I was also happy to hear many of my classmates have actually read my website and they felt a connection to what I had to say. That was probably the best, I don't just write for me. I guess I hope that someone else also shares some of my views and I also want to try to share what I have learned without being preachy. Apparently I have done so. I spent the most time talking with Brian. I had lived in his parents house for bit prior to leaving for the Army so in a way we were kind of brothers. He plays guitar and writes songs for love and works a regular job for living. He would love to be paid for his love but he understands the freedom of art and how it makes his life richer even if it can't pay the rent. He found a similar thread in what I do here on the web. Here is where I write with my heart and while it would be great if this was my living I really don't care. I just enjoy putting form around all the stuff that clouds my mind. I do look at things differently and I feel the need to document it.

If there was a down side to the event it had to be the way some people still carried some baggage. Unfortunately I was guilty of this when I snubbed a classmate. Petty and childish but I managed to limit my transgressions to that one time. Let's get back to the good stuff since that was the point in going.

I also had the pleasure of being interviewed by the current Shaker High School yearbook staff. They were young and I don't think they could fully comprehend twenty years. We were all in their parents generation and after a few snapshots and a couple of more interviews they left. Good thing because my class can drink. The bar was always a mash of people doing shots and laughing out loud. Old friends hugging and trying to capture a bit of the old glory. We were young and indestructible the world was at our feet. Maybe that's part of the reason I am different. I still see the world that way. Age is somewhat relative and with it comes great power. Use that power to extend the hands of the clock. Getting older means that you have more options and more opportunities not less.

It was easy to see the people who were happiest. They mingled with ease and hammed it up for all the cameras that were in the room. I have collected some of my pictures to illustrate this point. Smiling and hugging and best of all laughing. It was if many of the old connections still worked well. Maybe it's because those pathways are so worn in that they will always work. I think of how I drive when I am in my hometown. I use the backstreets and old familiar roads even though there are newer roads. I still know the way even though I haven't driven them in years. That's how I felt seeing so many of the friends of my youth. The paths still worked and we immediately bridged the time gap and fell into our comfortable ways.

These were the people who helped shape me and make me what I am today. I loved them back then and now I can say that I love them all over again. Am I gushing again? I hope so because it feels so good. I hope I can maintain some of the renewed friendships and add them back into my world. The past can be kind if you let it. Open your heart and close your pain. Trust that your love and class will show through. These are the things that make beauty. I know I felt beautiful and I want to thank everyone who went and took some time to share a piece of time with me again.

More pictures from the evening are available here: http://www.shaker83.com/pictures.html