Changes

Reunions are good.  Some people avoid them, but reunions are good things.  It is a way to reconnect, remember, make new memories, and mark time in our lives.  Through a friend’s eyes we can see more clearly the changes in our lives.

With family reunions, these changes are subtle. –who has had a baby, who has changed jobs, who cut her hair.  With yearly family reunions we see the small changes because it is a yearly thing.  There are no big shockers (usually).

But it is those big event reunions (college or high school) where time passed is marked more dramatically and through longer periods of time -5,10, 25 years changes stand out.

I recently attended my 30^th high school reunion, saw friends I had not seen face to face in 30 years.  Yes, we keep in touch through phone calls, emails, and facebook, but face to face time is harder to do.  Everyone has busy lives, work, families, and are spread across different states.  The intention is always there to get together, but it rarely happens.

The most obvious changes you notice from across the room.  Who has gone gray? Who has gained a few pounds?  Where did those wrinkles come from?  These may be the obvious changes, but not the important ones.  Who cares if you don’t look like you did in high school?  Our friendships are deeper than that.

The changes you learn by spending time with each other are the ones that matter.  Who has been with the love of their life for 20 years, despite the craziness?  Who stays home to take of her kids and is worried if her son has made the little league team?  Who has to cut back on her work schedule to care for elderly parents?  Who is blossoming into a new life after divorce?

Being among friends, these subjects can be discussed, there are avenues of support, there is laughter and silliness, and most of all memories shared as new memories are made.

Oh how I love these friends!  They have grown into amazing women.  They show their caring, independence, commitment, and love in all things they do. 

I would love to share some of the new memories we made over our reunion weekend, but I would probably have to say something along the lines of ‘the names have been changed to protect the innocent".  No, don’t worry nothing so mischievous happened.  We did tease each other, surprise each other, giggle and talk, told secrets, and stayed up way to late.

Changes happen.  We grow up.  But still we have connections with the past that will bless us into the future.  I am blessed by these friendships. 

And as the one who has changed from the shy redhead to the independent woman who speaks her mind, I am glad to have these renewed friendships as part of my joyous journey.