40 Years & Counting

Forty years ago I graduated from high school and recently I attended the reunion to commemorate that shocking anniversary. Actually I had been looking forward to it and I think that's because I felt I still looked okay--no bags under my eyes, no wrinkles (thanks Mom), some excess poundage but nothing too jiggly. Also I have an interesting job. And I got a lot of mileage out of Jerry's job as the Missouri Film Czar--I mean, how many classmates can say they're in a movie with George Clooney? How interesting to see some of the women much thinner now than we were in high school. They looked like lollipops with stick bodies and big round heads. A few were so botoxed they truly had difficulty moving their lips. But for the most part, the women looked a lot better than the men. And the ones I didn't like in high school, I still didn't like. Some ladies I wasn't friendly with gave me big hugs and kisses. Others I had been looking forward to seeing obviously did not feel that way about me. My old boyfriend Rodger later told me there was one person he wanted nothing to do with--and of course that person ended up at our table. Eileen, my classmate, friend and hostess, said there was one person she didn't want to talk to--who of course sat right next to her. It was amazing to see so many high-school couples still married, to each other. Above all, what was evident was the passage of time and what 40 years can do to people. Most of us are past our prime yet doing our best to make the most of the years we have left. Although I enjoyed the experience, I can honestly say I have attended my last reunion.