| 09/17/08 06:55 PM |
#1885
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Mark Button
As we grow older, hopefully we all grow wiser. Things such as cliques are petty and trivial, but they often seem like a way to compartmentalize and simplify things as a teenager. Fortunately, it's one of those many things that are left behind as we grow into somewhat mature adults, and then we realize the things that really matter in life. So much of the baggage I carried around for well over twenty years was lifted completely from me in a span of three days.
Someone made a rather astute observation about the ten year gathering that I can only summarize with one word: awkward. Most of us were still trying to find our footing in the world at that time and were still worried about what others might think of us. I found it rather difficult then to open up to people and really allow myself to enjoy that time.
From the minute that John Lovelace walked behind me at the Brick while I was sitting at the bar, put his hand on my shoulder, asked how I was doing, and expressed some kind words, I just had a feeling that something magical would take place surrounding the entire weekend. People kept trickling in over the next hour or two. First, it was Mark Bradshaw, then Scott Watson, Ronald Fletcher, Allyson and Chris Virden, and so on. Before that night was done, Deb Blaxton, Sara Doepel, Becky Aldridge, Vikki Kritinar, Katie Hughes, Datie Priest, Terry Tucker, Patricia McLemore, Philomena Compton, Beau Jones, Amanda Steedley and Tom (her boyfriend), Jason Yorks, and Paka Marks (in addition to the names above) all joined the party. Talk about a melting pot of different personalities that probably would never have meshed together in high school but came together one evening and had a GREAT time fellowshipping as if we'd all been lifelong friends. It's memories like this that I will absolutely treasure for the rest of my life.
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