Reunion part 2
It was not the worst experience of my life. It won't be listed in my memoirs as one of the most memorable events in my life either. I made it through the evening with only one actual moment of eyerolling boredom due to the conversation.
I arrived to the reunion which had many of the attendees already there. I checked in and was immediately dragged into conversation about "what are you up to these days?" I had some good conversations with people as they filled me in on their life and I with mine. There was some reminiscing with old friends who I have not spoken with in a very long time. Interesting to see how some people changed over time. Honestly, many of the people changed very little over 20 years. Many of these people still lived near the small town where we lived and went to school. There were no great breakthrough stories of anyone doing great things. There was conversation during dinner and after as well. Dinner was decent with a lot of good food.
I would say that the majority of the conversation at the reunion was everyone talking about their children. It was good to hear that most of the people there were married with 2-4 children. They could share stories about family life (marriage, children, domestic stuff). Since I have not chosen that path of life, I could not connect or share with many of these people. They asked if I was married or had children. When I said no, they tended to pause, say "Oh", and attempt to talk about something else. The eyerolling occurred during dinner when the conversation turned to dishwashers. In my mind all I could think was "These people are excited by appliances. I thought my life was dull, but this is unreal." I tried to make it a positive evening which it was for the most part.
It was nice to meet up with these people again, but I felt that time had moved on. They were not strangers, yet I felt that I didn't know these people anymore. I don't foresee myself meeting up anytime soon. If chance allows us to meet again, I will take the time to make the most of it. I will not go out of my way to attempt to hook up with these people. They have their lives and I have mine. It doesn't make any sense to me to renew these acquaintances that lay dormant for two decades. I have plenty of good friends that I can relate to and share exciting experiences at any time.
Maybe I'll see you in another 20 years Yale High School Class of 1988. Then you can fill me in on the number of grandchildren you have. I cannot wait for that (he adds sarcastically).
I arrived to the reunion which had many of the attendees already there. I checked in and was immediately dragged into conversation about "what are you up to these days?" I had some good conversations with people as they filled me in on their life and I with mine. There was some reminiscing with old friends who I have not spoken with in a very long time. Interesting to see how some people changed over time. Honestly, many of the people changed very little over 20 years. Many of these people still lived near the small town where we lived and went to school. There were no great breakthrough stories of anyone doing great things. There was conversation during dinner and after as well. Dinner was decent with a lot of good food.
I would say that the majority of the conversation at the reunion was everyone talking about their children. It was good to hear that most of the people there were married with 2-4 children. They could share stories about family life (marriage, children, domestic stuff). Since I have not chosen that path of life, I could not connect or share with many of these people. They asked if I was married or had children. When I said no, they tended to pause, say "Oh", and attempt to talk about something else. The eyerolling occurred during dinner when the conversation turned to dishwashers. In my mind all I could think was "These people are excited by appliances. I thought my life was dull, but this is unreal." I tried to make it a positive evening which it was for the most part.
It was nice to meet up with these people again, but I felt that time had moved on. They were not strangers, yet I felt that I didn't know these people anymore. I don't foresee myself meeting up anytime soon. If chance allows us to meet again, I will take the time to make the most of it. I will not go out of my way to attempt to hook up with these people. They have their lives and I have mine. It doesn't make any sense to me to renew these acquaintances that lay dormant for two decades. I have plenty of good friends that I can relate to and share exciting experiences at any time.
Maybe I'll see you in another 20 years Yale High School Class of 1988. Then you can fill me in on the number of grandchildren you have. I cannot wait for that (he adds sarcastically).