High school history lessons

Last year, a classmate emailed me about attending a mini class reunion. Close to every classmate was either a bully or indifferent. High school was a challenge to live through. The interesting thing about being in the same school system (rural area) is that when you enter, you stay with the same people until you walk out with your diploma (unless you move away). When I walked out, I felt relief yet I felt so battered.

I have been to most of the reunions just to see how far I have progressed. What I discovered is that I became more removed from that place, those people. The other part was they looked like they were more established and successful than me.

So when I got this email last year, I felt panicked and odd. I rekindled another classmate who also experienced trauma (we graduated together same year), then insisted she come with me. Before we met in town, she texted she was going to puke. I said we can be brave even within our anxiety. So we drove to the meeting site and walked in together. It was certainly awkward and interesting. At the end of the time, we talked with several classmates then left, exhaling. In a way, it was a relief to do this so I can update my brain from history.

This year, I was on the fence about going again. Glutton for punishment? Naw. My friend could not attend (out of town) so I decided to go anyway. My sister lives close by so I had a ready excuse. I walked in and the coordinator for the meet up met me at the door and seemed genuinely happy to see me. We sat down and chatted quite awhile. It was an interesting conversation. As I was listening and doing some sharing, what I heard was painful situations in his life. Maybe all that bullying and unpleasantness is rooted in just that. An outlet for pain to pay it forward.

Several other guys stopped by to chat, too. Another layer of interesting conversations. One of the women I rode the bus with stopped to chat, too. Getting kind of caught up. She lived behind us (think country not city).

I am allowing my brain to update the new age. One classmate had a heart transplant.  Also, I noticed since the past year how the aging process is speeding up for some. And life can become humbling. Eventually, the playing field does become more level. Giving the opportunity to mend pains and slights and allowing humanness to open up. Maybe they can use more blessings instead of scorn.