Monday, September 25, 2017

My Old School

Well, I guess it was time.

I hadn't been to a HS reunion before. Got close once: For the 10th, I'd pledged to go with one of my oldest friends. The day before, we scouted the location in case we wanted to make a quick escape. I'm not kidding ... we went to the hotel ballroom where it was going to be held, found all the exits in case we needed to high-tail it outta there.

The day of, we were on the way over. I remember it exactly. We were at a stoplight overlooking White Rock at Mockingbird and Buckner. I looked over at D, and we just knew.

His HS experience was worse than mine, apparently. When I was in HS I was on a varsity athletic team, involved in some student organizations, was on the newspaper staff ... I didn't feel like I was one of the "cool" kids but also didn't feel I was with the outcasts. I liked having a foot in both worlds but identified less with the popular people.

I had typical HS-age issues. Was more unsure than sure, used occasional bravado to mask the insecurities. But never really felt like I was "special" or one of the Chosen Ones. Honestly, I just felt like I was an unremarkable person then.

So it took me a while to feel like I could expose myself to that again. But, at this stage in life, what did that matter? That was a long time ago.

I asked D to go and was a little surprised he opted out. Maybe I should have? But enough of those old acquaintances that I gave a damn about wanted me to go, so go I went.

It was harder than I thought it would be. There were a handful of people I wanted to see, but barely 15 percent of my graduating class showed up. Our senior class was big, so honestly, some of those people I just didn't remember ... not because they weren't good people, it's just impossible to have relationships with almost 1,000 people.

Additionally ... time the avenger. I didn't recognize a lot of people. Most people, in fact. And for me, I felt it would be awkward and invasive to walk up to folks, peer at the sticker with their name affixed to their chest, and say ... what?

"Nope, don't remember you." I think that would be uncomfortable for them as well as for me. I would never willingly make someone feel uncomfortable in that setting.

"Wait, *you're* so-and-so? When did you get so ... bald?"

Now, I would never say that, but ... after the event, I saw some posts IDing people and they were completely unrecognizable. I'm sure I was too ... I don't have that "David Cassidy" hair I used to have, but I do have an additional hundred pounds. Anybody want some?

I'm also an odd duck compared to the majority of people from back there as far as their political views. I consider myself left of center, but not "crazy librul" because to me wanting equality and peace aren't crazy ideas.

There was one guy there who is a stone RWNJ. He just is. I avoided him as much as I could but he veered close to our table once and I just wanted the seconds to elapse swiftly so it would be over. The political world is so fraught right now, I welcomed the idea of a few hours away from that.

But honestly, I just didn't know what to do. One guy I wasn't super close with, but lived nearby, I knew him a long time, and we were on the team together and we sweated together, bled together, shared that special camaraderie of a team ... I ventured to engage with him, and after less than two minutes of small talk, he was done with me and basically turned his back. He couldn't even feign interest in learning anything about what time had wrought.

It was disappointing, though not entirely surprising. He was always kind of aloof and an odd duck, but it was almost like memories of a cold and distant relative ... couldn't you put aside your ego for a moment? Nope. He wanted to go back to his Circle of Adulation, where there were willing supplicants.

It kind of triggered me a little, I think. All those old HS-era fears and longing for approval flicked me upside the head.

It had happened with another teammate about 15 or so years ago. This person had become a coach and I was covering their game. Afterward I approached him but stood a respectful distance away while he spoke to someone else. We made eye contact and maybe he didn't recognize me, but as the minutes ticked away and glances were exchanged, it seemed he just had no interest in reconnecting. He never motioned me over. I left.

I've thought back on that and on the weekend: Should I have been more bold in seeking out people? Perhaps, although the original issues remain. To me it is respectful to give people the space they may want to approach a middle ground. I simply will not force myself on someone.

I was fortunate to be able to visit with a few people who meant a lot to me then; although I wished I could have spent more time with them. They were able to navigate this situation much better than I did. I envy that. They were able to circulate and dive into it, I guess. I didn't really know how.

I carry a great sadness about all of this. We all just want to be accepted. Despite my running in some "in-crowd" circles in HS, I felt that was someone else's perception. I didn't play football to sit at the front of the auditorium at pep rallies ... I played because I loved the game. I wasn't that great at it; I was a lot better playing on the front green at Gaston than I was on the field at Forester.

I wasn't on newspaper to see my name in print, I was on it because I loved journalism, as more than 25 years in this cursed business will painfully attest.

There was a slide show during the event showing old images from the neighborhood and yearbooks. It was a delight to see those fresh young people so full of life and so ... hopeful. But that experience wasn't everyone's. It wasn't D's experience, and truthfully, it wasn't always mine. And it's possible it wasn't those of the more than 80 percent who didn't show up. It wasn't always a happy time. A lot of people grappled with the stereotypical worries and tribulations of being a teenager. Am I OK?

It's an enduring question. Sometimes it's still a concern.