The first thing that I want to say about my trip back to my home town, Tulsa, OK, and my attendance at a junior high school reunion is that I am absolutely glad that I went. The highlight of the reunion for me was reconnecting with with Susie, a very good friend from my elementary school years. She is on the left in the picture below.
Susie and Gayle
Susie and I were in the same class from kindergarten through 6th grade, took dance classes together. had many sleepovers and spent our summers at the same golf and swim club (where the Saturday night reunion event was held....a serendipity for us). Sharing memories with her and catching up on her life now as a mother, grandmother and church youth director was the best and most memorable part of the reunion for me.
There were others that it was fun to see and do some catching up with, but the surprising thing for me these many years later was that a lot of people didn't seem too interested in visiting with anyone that wasn't a part of their "group" from their school years. I'm sure that was partly because some of them still lived in Tulsa and had stayed friends or at least had some connection with each other over time. I guess I was naive to expect some of those cliquish attitudes to fall by the wayside with maturity. The good news is that it didn't bother me like it might have many years ago. One of the things that everyone seemed to agree about was that we were all fortunate to grow up in a great place in a great time.
The other part of my short trip that was really good was staying with my cousin who lives on the street where I grew up and having time to visit with him and his wife and drive around Tulsa to see things that were the same and things that had changed. This connection with family was definitely the best part of my trip.
On Sunday I went to visit my 94 year old aunt, one of two of the eight children from my mother's family who is still living. She is an absolute inspiration and role model for growing old gracefully. She still lives independently, is totally mentally connected and lives with a positive attitude that makes her a joy to spend time with.
Well, this trip is done and dusted and now I am looking forward to trips to New Orleans and Hawaii in May and June. I can now say I have been to a school reunion. Time will tell how I respond to an invitation to the next one.
Hi Jeanie, I was wondering how your trip down memory lane went! Cliques at our age - who has the time or the inclination? Your aunt is beautiful at any age! I want to be like her - do you know her secret for healthy aging? Your upcoming trips sound wonderful - I'm just looking forward to trips to UT and AZ in May!
ReplyDeleteI.Am.Shocked.That.Cliques.Were.Still.An.Issue.
ReplyDeleteREALLY SHOCKED!
You and I are about the same age, and at our reunions cliques are long gone, with just a few small exceptions.
Glad you had a fun time and were able to reconnect with some friends...Your aunt looks amazing. You've got some great genes in your family!! What did you think about Tulsa? Welcome home!!
I'm glad ya got to go to you reunion clicks and all. Some people will never grow up...'just sayin'....
ReplyDeleteOh honey, you come from some goooood stock there. Your Aunt looks amazin'!!!
God bless and have fun on your travels. Hawaii...really...I'm so jealous! Heeehehehe!!!
My 97 yr old mother has dementia and is very frail. So your 94 yr old aunt is doing amazingly well. If you are ever in Honolulu, I'll take you out to lunch. Let me know, Jeanie!
ReplyDeleteFun! I'm glad you went too.
ReplyDeleteI knew you were thinking about whether you should go or not - so glad you did. sandie
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you enjoyed the trip back to our home town and that the reunion was a pleasant time for you. I haven't been to an Edison reunion since the 25th. I missed the 40th and 45th.
ReplyDeleteSome things truly never change. While some high school friends are life long friends, those who didn't get to know you then are typically not all that interested in a new friendship now. That's a little sad and it's the primary reason I haven't made a big deal out attending the reunions. Will I go to the 50th? I don't know. Several of my classmates, that were close friends are gone now, so there are fewer and fewer reasons to make the trip.
Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed the trip. Your aunt sounds like a joy to be around. Treasure your time with her. Thanks for stopping by Driller's Place.
Glad you enjoyed your trip...reunions can be fun...
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the cliques. Our reunions seemed to rise above them, mostly. It's great that you reunited with your long-time friend, though, and got to see family as well.
ReplyDeleteGlad you went! Mine are in CA and just too difficult to get to. It's funny how some things don't change. I'm sure it was wonderful going down memory lane with family. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteYour Aunt is 94?!?!?! WOW. She's gorgeous. Good for her.
ReplyDeleteAnd, you are far braver than I am to attend a class reunion. I'm glad you were able to reconnect with Susie but so sorry about the clique nonsense. That's mostly why I don't attend (that and a few bad boyfriends ;-)
Happy weekend, xo jj
Glad you had fun at the reunion with your childhood friend reliving the past! Sorry there were still cliques going on...I hate that kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteYour upcoming trips sound fun too. Hoping you will have safe travels.
Your Aunt is lovely...and so blessed to be in such great shape for her age. That is wonderful!
My hubby has some elderly Aunties too...but not that healthy. We do enjoy our visits with them. But now their memories are fading.
John is taking me to a Gaither's concert tonight, and I am looking forward to it. BUT my allergies are really bothering me and I have been blowing my nose and sneezing this morning. I hope I can calm things down by this evening.
Have a great weekend!
love, Linda
I truly regret not getting to Tulsa to meet you. My poor Ron was completely debilitated with and UTI and then got pneumonia. He is just now coming out of all the infections.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that you had a good time and avoided the clique group. You are right about the ones who stay in town and keep up their contacts. I recently experienced that in a reunion of mine. You would think they would be tired of talking just to each other all these years. LOL
Your aunt is really 94? Honestly, she looks fabulous! No wonder you are so inspired by her!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you had the time to connect with friends and especially Susie. Interesting about the cliques. Especially from such a young age -- I suspect a lot of those folks have so much to offer that didn't show back then. But you did connect, and you had fun. And your family trip back memory lane -- amazing! Welcome home!
This is so wonderful! I'm glad you had such a great time. Isn't it amazing how seeing these old friends brings back such happy memories... most of the time? Your aunt does look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you're coming here and to New Orleans soon. We've got China and the canyons in our sights during that time period.
I am so glad you had a great time... sounds really good. Glad you got to do that (o: Now 2 more trips to look forward to. My New York friend was here last week. We had a great time.
ReplyDelete