We may be a bit older, but we’re wiser for the journey
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
Last night was my 25th high school reunion. That is painful to type out in black and white. How is it possible that a QUARTER of a CENTURY has gone by? Putting it that way makes it sound even more horrifying.
There was a bright spot, however. My girlfriend Sharon pointed out that enduring our high school years in Delaware County in the late 1980’s meant that we had no choice but to evolve into more attractive versions of ourselves.
Gone are the bangs, teased to a death defying height and shellacked with Aqua Net. Gone are the blue shadowed eyelids and coal rimmed inner liner (remember that? burning our black pencils with a cigarette lighter and putting so much on that it would pool in the corner of your eyeball? it makes me want to gag just thinking about it) Gone are the MC Hammer pants, acid wash jeans and pastel popped collars of yesteryear. And I say,
THANK GOODNESS.
There is nothing worse than peaking in high school. I tell my kids all the time that when they have the good fortunate to return (several decades later) to the scene of their grueling educational experience, they will be pleasantly surprised by how much they’ve grown…not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. The silly antics of seventeen and eighteen year olds that have such significance now will be but a hazy memory in years to come. Daily stressors that you can’t imagine EVER going away: homework, pop quizzes, applying to and selecting a college, dating and playing team sports will fade into the cob-webbed, recesses of the brain.
And, for good reason. Not to say that these experiences are without merit. They help to build character, enrich your life and prepare you for the REAL stressful times ahead.
If you have it all figured out in high school, what is there to look forward to?
Last night was a blast. We danced into the wee hours of the morning to the music of our youth. We reminisced about the good ol’ days like the geriatric bunch that we are. And, we looked damn good while we did it.
Happy Weekend
