The Way We Were (and still Are)

"Memories light the corners of my mind ... 
Misty, watercolor memories of the way we were"

Now, I know that many of you are too young to remember the movie that inspired the title of today's blog, but for those of us of a certain age, just the first few notes of it's poignant theme song dredges up lumps of emotion that clog the throat and make the eyes tear up. 

There'll be no crying here today, though ... no maudlin post lamenting loss.  Let's fast-forward to the end of the song.

You see, this weekend, I'll attend the 40-year reunion of my high school graduating class.  Yeah, forty years have come and gone since we sat in the cafeteria, passing around a copy of The Godfather under the table that opened automatically to the wedding scene of Sonny and the bridesmaid.  Forty years--impossible, yet true.

However, thanks to the miracle of modern technology, I've been able to reconnect with many of my high school friends  through Facebook.  Some of us go back to junior high, and a few as far back as grade school.  We chat often, sharing blips of family stories and pictures.  We brag about our kids and  grandkids.  We rag on each other and give virtual (((hugs))).  But the most wonderful part?  When we get together, it's like we've never been apart.  We're not close geographically.  Fact is, we're pretty much scattered across the lower 48.  And life has landed us our share of hard blows.  Despite it all, we're still the same people we were at 18--more experienced and hopefully older and wiser, but the personalities are still the same.  What I love--what I've always loved--the quick wit ... the sarcastic humor ... the tell-it-all facial expression--they're all still there ... and then some! 

For six hours this coming Saturday night, gray hair will vanish.  Pounds will melt away as we dance to Eli's Coming by Three Dog Night.  We'll reminisce about the time Steve got in big trouble for yelling "Up your ass!" to the referee at a heated basketball game, and we'll boast of being the largest class to graduate from PTHS.

Most important, we'll nod sagely at the advice Marvin Hamlisch offered at the end of his song:
"And so it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember ... the way we were."

The best thing about being 18 again ... for the 40th time?  We've learned that laugh lines are way more cool than wrinkles--and we have the proof right in front of (and all around) our eyes! 

So how about you?  Do you enjoy high school reunions or do you avoid them (like my husband)?