NO EXCUSES FOR NOT COMING!!

 

Chew on this - if you're struggling with the idea of attending a Reunion, this article is for you. Apparently the internal debate is universal.  I know I've had some of the same thoughts.  If I wait until I'm rich enough/thin enough/successful enough, you guys will never see me again! 

Read on and discuss amongst yourselves.  It would behoove us all to realize that our classmates don't care about what we look like, the size of our checkbook, or how fast we've climbed the corporate ladder.  
 

 For a few hours, at least, we can all be 18 again!  Well, 18 with wrinkles, anyways...

"Swallow your pride and reunite"

 

There is a surprising number of alumni who insist on missing this incredible chance to face - and laugh at - the past.

Why? This is what we're hearing, and why we think they should change their minds.

The Top 10 list of excuses for avoiding the reunion...

I am not rich yet. Or, my job is not high-powered enough.
When will you be successful enough to face everyone? At our 30th reunion? Please don't wait that long, life is too short to miss a chance to connect. Check your ego, and show up anyway. 

I'm 38 and have not yet married, had kids, bought a house, written a book, sold my screenplay, . . .
(fill in your favorite personal disappointment here).  You have been doing something during these past 20 years. Come and tell everyone about it.

I'm too fat/going bald/have an embarrassing skin condition. 
You aren't alone. Not a good excuse. Pull on your Spanx, comb it over, slather on the Eucerin, and forget about it for the night.

I hated everyone from high school.

Everyone? Not one single person you can remember with fondness? Check your e-mail contacts list, I bet there is at least one faithful high school pal there. Message them and see if they are going. Ask if they would like to see you there.

I don't dance ....I don't like 80s music....I don't drink

So what?!  Come and mingle and just enjoy an evening away from work, kids, etc.

Everyone from high school hated me. Or, I haven't been in touch in 20 years, so if they didn't hate me then, they hate me now. 
And ignoring this problem will make it go away? Time to make amends. Show up at your reunion, make peace, and enjoy a special bonus - you won't spend the next 10 years being hated.

I can't remember anyone's name. 
That's why God invented name tags.

I'm afraid to see the one who broke my heart/whose heart I broke. Or, I'm afraid I won't see them. 
Suck it up, they probably don't remember you anyway.

I don't want my spouse to know what a loser I was in high school.  They already know. They love you anyway.

I can't go because I (or someone very close to me) is having a baby, living more than 3,000 miles away, just declared bankruptcy...

OK, in those very special cases, you get a free get-out-of-reunion card, and we wish you well.

But seriously folks, there is something to celebrate about where we came from and how far we've come, even if some of you are afraid it's not far enough.  We hope to see you at our 20th year high school reunion because our reunion won't be the same without you there!
See you there.

 

 NO EXCUSES  !!!
WHY UNITE?

If you are NOT coming to the reunion, you need a good excuse and a note from your probation officer or whoever else keeps you out of trouble.
The following reasons have been tried and are UNacceptable.

Excuse #1: I've gained a lot of weight!   
Rebuttal:  Look around!! I doubt any of us could get back into our jeans from high school any more.

Excuse #2:  I'm a different person than I was in high school
Rebuttal: Lucky for you, we ALL are.  Let's face it; we could only have improved.

Excuse #3:   I don't look as good as I'd like. I (choose one or more) am bald, have wrinkles, saddlebags, grey hair and no one will recognize me.
Rebuttal: Guess what! You won't recognize anyone else, either.

Excuse #4: I'm not successful. I'm not (choose one or more) a lawyer, a doctor or rich.
Rebuttal: You'll be pleasantly surprised to find how much everyone has matured. Money is not success. Please note that any doctors in the class are very welcome. Any lawyers will need to ask for special permission to attend.

Excuse #5: I was not in a popular clique in school
Rebuttal: Now that we're older and smarter, those cliques have dissolved just like the superficialities they were based on. The only cliques you'll notice at the reunion will be the sound of our drink glasses coming together.